August was another outstanding month for U.S. pork and beef exports, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Despite slipping slightly from July in terms of volume, a strong August performance pushed beef exports 26% higher for the year in volume 857,680 metric tons (mt) and 39% higher in value at $3.58 billion. August exports equated to 14% of total U.S. production with a value of $214.11/head of fed slaughter. (This compares to just under 12% and $159.59/head last year.) For the year, beef exports equated to 14.2% of production with a value of $200.75/head.

Though down from the record pace established in July, beef exports to Canada remained very strong at 19,945 mt valued at $114.6 million. This was 44% higher in volume and 55% higher in value than in August 2010. For the first eight months of the year, Canada has been the leading value destination for U.S. beef at $709.7 million (up 54% from last year and already a new full-year record) and second only to Mexico in volume at 130,657 mt (up 33%).

Mexico was the volume pacesetter for U.S. beef at 169,963 mt and second in value at $646 million. These totals were up 6% and 24% over last year’s pace, respectively. August export value of $93.4 million was easily Mexico’s highest monthly total of the year.

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