U.S. pork exports posted a strong finish in 2015 as December volume was the largest since April and the third-largest of the year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports were below year-ago levels in December and posted the first full-year value decline since 2009.

December exports of U.S. pork were up 3% from a year ago to 188,410 metric tons. Export value was $468.9 million, down 13% from a year ago but the highest since May. For the full calendar year, pork exports were down 2% from a year ago in volume (2.13 million mt) and 16% lower in value ($5.58 billion). Pork muscle cut exports increased 3% in volume (1.7 million mt) while falling 15% in value ($4.77 billion), but pork variety meat exports declined significantly in both volume (434,661 mt, down 17%) and value ($808.4 million, down 22%). However, as the USMEF has previously noted, year-over-year comparisons, especially for pork variety meat, may not be entirely accurate due to issues with 2014 data for Japan.*

Pork exports accounted for 24% of total 2015 production and 21% for muscle cuts only — down from 26.5% and 22%, respectively, in 2014. Export value per head slaughtered averaged $48.31, down 23% from 2014.

December U.S. beef exports totaled 94,586 mt, down 6% from a year ago and slightly lower than in November, while export value fell 21% to $507.3 million. In 2015, beef exports were down 11% from a year ago in volume to 1.07 million mt. Export value was $6.3 billion, 12% below the 2014 record of $7.14 billion.

Beef exports accounted for 13% of total 2015 production and 10% for muscle cuts only — each down one percentage point from a year ago. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $277.87, down 7% from the previous year’s record but still up 13% from 2013.

“There is no question that 2015 was a challenging year for red meat exports, with several economic headwinds taking a toll,” says Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “But with production increasing in the year ahead in both the beef and pork industries, we cannot afford to dwell on these circumstances or back away from our commitment to the international markets. We must continue to find innovative ways to differentiate U.S. products, win back market share and regain momentum for exports in 2016. That means aggressive pursuit of new customers and new opportunities, in both emerging and established markets.”

Pork exports to Mexico set fourth consecutive record

Pork exports to Mexico set a new monthly record in December at 67,980 mt, pushing 2015 volume to 718,819 mt — up 6% from 2014 and setting a new record for the fourth consecutive year. Export value was down 19% to $1.27 billion, reflecting lower U.S. prices, but demand for U.S. pork held up extremely well in Mexico considering the peso was down an average of 16% versus the U.S. dollar in 2015.

With several U.S. pork plants recently regaining eligibility for China, December exports to the China/Hong Kong region posted the largest volume in nearly two years at 33,691 mt (up 27% year-over-year). In 2015, exports to China/Hong Kong edged 1% higher in volume (339,056 mt) and were down 10% in value ($700.4 million). China/Hong Kong’s imports from all suppliers set a new record of 1.937 million mt in 2015, up 8%. While the U.S. industry capitalized on this trend late in the year, the European Union was the primary beneficiary, capturing about 70% market share.

Exports to leading value market Japan struggled in 2015, declining 13% year-over-year in volume (406,186 mt) and 18% in value ($1.59 billion, the lowest since 2009). A recent decline in Japan’s frozen inventories indicates opportunities for import growth in 2016. But the United States continues to face increasing competition in Japan, especially from European suppliers.

Other 2015 highlights for U.S. pork (with comparisons to 2014) included:

Korea, Taiwan, Caribbean main bright spots for 2015 beef exports

Fueled by strong demand for chilled U.S. beef in its retail and foodservice sectors, beef exports to South Korea increased 7% year-over-year in volume (126,093 mt) while slipping 4% in value ($810.4 million). Korea’s imports of chilled U.S. beef were up about 40% in 2015, with U.S. market share reaching 31%.

Beef exports to Taiwan increased 4% year-over-year in volume to 35,286 mt and set a new value record of $318.5 million (up 8%). U.S. chilled beef market share in Taiwan is more than 60%, the highest of any Asian destination.

Exports to the Caribbean increased 1% year-over-year in volume (23,208 mt) and 7% in value ($165.7 million) in 2015. Similar to pork, the value increase was driven in large part by strong demand in the Dominican Republic ($58.7 million, up 6%), but double-digit increases were also achieved in the Bahamas ($24.6 million, up 11%) and Jamaica ($16.5 million, up 10%).

While Japan remained the leading value market for U.S. beef in 2015, exports declined 15% year-over-year in volume (204,927 mt) and 19% in value ($1.28 billion, the lowest since 2012). Japan imported less beef from all suppliers in 2015, but the U.S. lost market share to Australia, due in part to the 10 percentage point tariff advantage enjoyed by Australian beef under its economic partnership agreement with Japan.

While the weak peso affected demand for U.S. beef in Mexico, exports still topped the $1 billion mark for the second consecutive year ($1.09 billion, down 6%). Mexico reclaimed its position as the leading destination for beef variety meat exports, which increased 8% in volume (110,085 mt) and 9% in value ($290.3 million). This helped offset a decline in variety meat exports to Egypt, which fell 15% in volume (103,276 mt) but still achieved a 3% increase in value ($148.6 million). 

Complete 2015 export totals for U.S. beef, pork and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics webpage.