Led by a record-shattering performance in Mexico and broad-based growth in other markets, U.S. pork exports set a value record in 2023, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While 2023 beef exports were below the record totals posted the previous year, December exports were the largest since August and December export value increased 10% year-over-year.
In this audio report,U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom details the markets that have led growth in 2023 and shares how the export markets have benefited U.S. pork and beef producers.
December pork exports climbed nearly 10% from a year ago to 268,399 metric tons (mt), the largest since May 2021 and the eighth largest on record. Export value increased 11% to $765.8 million, also the highest since May 2021 and the third highest on record. While December exports trended higher in many key markets, Mexico was once again the star performer, setting records for both volume (105,451 mt) and value ($233.8 million).
The strong December results pushed 2023 export value to a record $8.16 billion, up 6% from 2022. Export value per head slaughtered also set an annual record of nearly $64, with more than $11 per head attributed to variety meat exports. Export volume was 2.91 million mt, up 8% year-over-year and the third largest on record.
Pork exports set annual volume and value records in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Malaysia, as well as value records in Central America and Colombia. Exports to South Korea were the third largest on record and second highest in value, while shipments to Oceania were the largest since 2020.
December exports of U.S. beef totaled 108,497 mt, down 4% year-over-year but the largest since August. Export value was also the highest since August and climbed 10% year-over-year to $860.8 million. Beef export value per head of fed slaughter was $431.50 in December, the highest since April. The full-year 2023 average was $397.04 per head.
2023 beef exports totaled 1.29 million mt, down 12% from the 2022 record. While export value fell 15% to just under $10 billion, this was still the third highest annual value for beef exports.
Additional details are available from the USMEF website.
