First-Half Beef Exports on a Billion-Dollar Pace

America’s beef exports remained on a red-hot pace during June, topping $1 billion for the fifth time this year. Data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation also shows that pork exports stayed below last year’s totals during June while lamb exports continued trending higher. June’s beef exports reached 130,600 metric tons, down slightly from the record volume posted in May but up 16 percent year-over-year and the fourth-largest on record. June’s export value was $1.05 billion, also down slightly from the May record but 31 percent higher than last year. Beef export value through the first six months reached $6.19 billion. June’s pork exports totaled 219,100 metric tons, eight percent lower than last year, and valued at $649.9 million. First-half pork exports were 18 percent below last year and valued at $3.62 billion, 16 percent lower than 2021. June lamb exports rose 56 percent compared to 2021 at 1,700 metric tons.