US beef exports trend lower – USMEF

Beef exports totalled 102,682 mt in Augus

11 October 2024

US beef exports were below year-ago levels in August while lamb exports trended higher, posting the largest volume since January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). 

Beef exports totalled 102,682 mt in August, down 6% from a year ago and the lowest since January. Export value fell 4% to $845.9 million. Through the first eight months of the year, beef exports were 3% below last year at 856,834 mt, but were 4% higher in value at just under $7 billion.

“Beef demand in our major Asian markets seemed to lose a bit of momentum in August, but exports held up well to Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle East,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The headwinds in Asia remain formidable, but we are encouraged by the region’s ongoing tourism rebound.”

“The late-September removal of Colombia’s restrictions on US beef is also a positive development,” he added. “While this came too late to impact the August results, it will help bolster fourth-quarter demand in Latin America.”