March exports of both U.S. beef and pork increased year-over-year in volume, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). March export values were lower than a year ago but trended upward, with both reaching a 2016 high. Beef exports totaled 89,482 metric tons (mt) in March, up 3 percent from a year ago and pushing first-quarter volume to 254,986 mt – up 2 percent. March export value was $483.3 million, down 8 percent from a year ago but the highest since December. For the first quarter, export value was $1.36 billion – down 13 percent from the same period last year. While lower beef prices pushed export values below year-ago levels in most destinations, Korea and Taiwan stood out as top performers. For the first quarter, exports to Korea increased 25 percent from a year ago in volume (34,638 mt) and were steady in value at $205 million. Exports to Taiwan increased 20 percent to 7,634 mt, while value climbed 3 percent to $66.4 ...
Commodity reports and news related to the marketing of produce and other goods.