U.S. beef exports rebound in China, Korea; Pork on record pace

Exports of U.S. beef and pork posted year-over-year increases in October, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, with pork exports well-positioned to set annual volume and value records in 2024.

Rebound in China/Hong Kong and Korea fuel October beef exports

October beef exports totaled 105,269 metric tons, up 1% from a year ago, while value increased 3% to $860.4 million. Shipments to Mexico maintained their impressive 2024 performance in October, while exports rebounded to South Korea and China/Hong Kong and increased year-over-year in Central America, the Caribbean and the ASEAN region. For January through October, beef export value was 4% above last year at $8.68 billion, despite a 2% decline in volume (1.066 million mt).

“It’s encouraging to see an uptick in demand for U.S. beef in China and Korea, where the economic headwinds have been formidable this year,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Our Western Hemisphere markets have been outstanding, and exports have also expanded to the ASEAN region. So if U.S. beef can regain momentum in these larger Asian destinations, this bodes well for 2025.”

Robust October performance keeps pork exports on record pace

Pork exports reached 252,411 mt in October, up 3% from a year ago, while value also climbed 3% to $710.4 million. Although shipments to leading market Mexico declined slightly, this was more than offset by growth in Japan, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania and the ASEAN region. Through the first 10 months of 2024, pork exports increased 5% from a year ago to 2.49 million mt, valued at $7.07 billion (up 6%). For the year, exports are projected to surpass 3 million mt for the first time, exceeding the 2020 volume record (2.98 million mt) and topping last year’s value record ($8.16 billion).

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“While shipments to Mexico eased just a bit in October, $217 million in exports is still a tremendous number,” Halstrom said. “This just highlights the remarkable growth U.S. pork has achieved in the Mexican market, which is enabled by the duty-free access delivered through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This access is critical and something we can never take for granted. At the same time, the fact that global exports still achieved an increase in October really underscores the importance of market diversification.”

October lamb exports fairly steady, led by Caribbean demand

October exports of U.S. lamb totaled 185 mt, up 2% from a year ago, though value fell about 8% to just over $1 million. Exports to the Caribbean trended higher in October, led by strong demand in the Bahamas, but shipments were lower to Mexico and Canada.

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January-October lamb exports were 12% above last year at 2,298 mt, while value climbed 14% to $12.1 million.

A detailed summary of the January-October export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website .