Through September, U.S. beef export sales tallied more than $5 billion, which was the equivalent of $283.29 per head of fed cattle slaughter, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

“These are impressive results, especially given the headwinds we faced in September – including a very strong U.S. dollar, a significant decline in beef production and our first full month of dealing with Russia’s retaliatory import ban,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “It was just three years ago that U.S. pork and beef exports eclipsed the $5 billion mark for the first time in an entire calendar year, so it’s very gratifying to see our industry reach these mileposts by the end of the third quarter.”

U.S. beef exports increased 6% in volume in September compared to a year earlier and 25% in value, according to USMEF. For January through September, beef exports were 3% higher in volume compared to the previous year and 15% more in value.

September export value reached $313.67/head of fed slaughter – down from the record set in August, but 26% higher than a year ago. Exports equated to 14% of total beef production up from 13% last year.

Japan was the pacesetter for September beef exports, with volume climbing 36% from a year ago and value up 55%. For January through September, exports to Japan were steady in volume and 7% higher in value.

“U.S. beef exports have done remarkably well despite very high beef prices, the strong dollar and low European pork prices,” explained Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region, during a media call this week.

“Incredible beef demand growth continues,” Haggard said. He noted it’s not the double-digit growth seen in 2012 and 2013 as U.S. beef imports to Asia continued to rebound from the Great Recession and BSE reforms, but likely an increase of 5%-10% on top of an already sizable number.

Beef and pork exports—a combined export value of $10.2 billion from January through September—are a key component of the nation’s record-large agricultural exports this year. According to USDA this week, U.S. agricultural exports for the 2014 fiscal year are a record $152.5 billion, up from last year’s record of $141 billion.

“Agricultural exports have climbed 41% in value over the past five years,” explained Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday. “U.S. agricultural exports have increased in volume as well as in monetary value, which demonstrates an increasing global appetite for high-quality, American-grown products.”
 

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