US beef exports trend higher to Mexico, Taiwan, and the Middle East

Mexico’s demand for US beef remained robust in August, with exports increasing 2% from a year ago in both volume (19,037 mt) and value ($113.2 million), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For January through August, shipments to Mexico increased 13% to 153,591 mt, while value climbed 16% to $898.5 million. This included a strong increase in beef variety meat exports, which were up 15% to 81,816 mt, valued at $221.4 million (up 9%). Mexico is the largest volume destination for US beef variety meat. Beef exports to Taiwan continued to trend higher in August, with shipments increasing 4% from a year ago in both volume (5,817 mt) and value ($67.6 million). After a slow start to the year, January-August exports to Taiwan pulled within 4% of last year’s volume pace at 42,669 mt, while export value climbed 6% above last year to $471.8 million. Led by larger beef variety meat shipments to Egypt, record beef muscle cut shipments to ...