July Pork Exports Continue Above Year-Ago; Slow Month for Beef Exports

Building on a robust first-half performance, July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. Beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January, but export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400.

July pork exports totaled 219,014 metric tons (mt), up 5% year-over-year, while export value increased 1% to $628.7 million. Through the first seven months of 2023, pork exports were 13% above...

E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc. Recalls Frozen, Raw Beef and Lamb Products

E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc., a Paterson, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 58,721 pounds of frozen, raw halal beef tripe, beef feet, and lamb tripe products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, raw beef tripe, beef feet, and lamb tripe items were produced from January 2023 through August 2023. The following products are subject to recall, regardless of the packed-on date...

May Pork Exports Highest in Two Years; Beef Exports Below Record-Large, Year-Ago Totals

Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While well below the record-large volume and value posted in May 2022, beef exports improved from April and were the second largest (behind March) of 2023.

May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons (mt), up 16% from a year ago, the ninth largest on record and the largest since May 2021...

Broad-Based Growth for April Pork Exports; Beef Exports Trend Lower

April exports of U.S. pork achieved gains in a wide range of markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF, while beef exports were below the very large totals posted a year ago.

Propelled by another month of widespread growth, April pork exports totaled 243,789 metric tons (mt), up 15% from a year ago, while value increased 10% to $660.1 million. For January through April, pork exports climbed 14% to 960,480 mt, valued at $2.62 billion (up 13%)...

E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc. Recalls Frozen, Raw Lamb Products Imported Without Benefit of Reinspection

E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc, the importer of record located in Paterson, N.J., is recalling approximately 39,947 pounds of frozen, raw lamb products that were imported without the benefit of import reinspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, raw lamb items were produced on Feb. 22 through March 13, 2023. The following products are subject to recall:

- Cartons weighing approximately 40-lb., containing raw frozen pieces of “Simunovic S.A. Frozen Bone in Lamb Leg ABO” produced by...

USMEF Conference Examines Industry Challenges, Opportunities for U.S. Market Share Gains

The USMEF Spring Conference got underway May 24 in Minneapolis, with USMEF senior staff updating members on industry efforts to expand the international footprint for U.S. red meat and bolster demand for underutilized pork, beef and lamb cuts.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen welcomed a strong turnout of producers, exporters, packers, processors and traders from across the nation, praising their collaborative efforts to advance U.S. agriculture by building global demand.

“I really wasn’t a ‘feed-the-world’ type of person when I started as commissioner,” Petersen said. “But as...

Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council Launched 

The North American Meat Institute today announced the launch of the Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council, formed to advise on research priorities and the latest evidence related to meat production and consumption.

The seven members of the advisory council are renowned independent researchers from the United States’ top universities, with expertise encompassing environmental sustainability, human nutrition and development, combating hunger, and more.

Advisory Council members are:

• Dr. Adegbola Adesogan, University of Florida . Dr. Adesogan’s research focuses on sustainably increasing animal-source food production and consumption, particularly with a focus on the role of animal...

March Pork Exports Largest in Nearly Two Years; Beef Exports Show Signs of Rebound

March exports of U.S. pork were the largest since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While below last year’s high volume, March beef exports were the largest since October.

March pork exports totaled 260,195 metric tons (mt), up 17% year-over-year and the ninth largest volume on record. Export value was also ninth largest at $724 million, up 18% from a year ago. These results capped a strong first quarter for U.S. pork as exports reached 716,691 mt...

Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports in February; Beef Exports Below Year-Ago

U.S. pork exports remained robust in February, achieving double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were lower year-over-year but improved from the low totals posted in January.

February pork exports totaled 219,729 metric tons (mt), up 11% from a year ago, while export value increased 10% to $596 million. This included a particularly strong performance for pork variety meat exports, which jumped 40%...

Herd & Grace Announces the Launch of Gundagai Lamb as Part of Curated Cuts Collection

Herd & Grace – the new premium delivery service for high-quality steaks sourced from pastures located in Australia and Tasmania – has launched Gundagai Free Range Lamb as part of their subscription box offering. Served at the finest restaurants around the world and now at home, this is a great addition for those looking for premium meat without the hassle.

"These lambs are the most tender and flavorful cuts on the market. Each lamb is selected and graded based on age, feed, stress levels and...

Pork Exports Robust in January; Slow Start for Beef Exports

U.S. pork exports, which posted a strong finish in 2022, maintained momentum in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). U.S. beef exports were record-breaking in 2022 but slowed late in the year. This trend continued in January, as shipments were well below the large totals from a year ago.

January pork exports totaled 236,767 metric tons (mt), up 13% year-over-year, while export value climbed 16% to $643.4 million. Exports to Mexico, which finished...

ANALYSIS: Lamb Racks Heading into Valentine's Day: Is Demand Holding Up?

With the domestic lamb market, everything is relative compared to previous years. 15 of the 18 domestic lamb items Urner Barry quotes are at 52-week lows. Many would look at the price sheet and gaze upon a sea of red and think that the situation is bleak, but when compared to pre-pandemic years, prices are extremely elevated.

Take the 204 Rack 8-Rib, 7/UP for example, the current price is $1135/CWT on a weekly average basis, which is well below what we...

2022 Beef Exports Set Annual Records; Strong Finish for Pork Exports

U.S. beef exports set annual records for both volume and value in 2022, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports finished lower year-over-year but export value was the third largest on record, trailing only the highs reached in 2020 and 2021. Pork exports continued to gain momentum in December, led by another outstanding performance in Mexico. While lamb exports slowed in December, 2022 shipments were sharply higher than the previous two years, approaching the...

October Pork Exports Largest in 16 Months; Beef Exports Already Top $10 Billion

October exports of U.S. pork were the largest in more than a year and beef export volume also increased from a year ago, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports reached 238,198 metric tons (mt) in October, up 5% from a year ago and the largest since June 2021. Pork export value increased 13% to $697.3 million, the highest since May 2021. For January through October, pork exports were 12% below last year...