US beef exports trend higher to Mexico, Taiwan and Middle East
Beef shipments to Mexico increased 13% to 153,591 mtMexico’s demand for US beef remained robust in August, with exports increasing 2% from a year ago in both volume (19,037 mt) and value ($113.2 million), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
For January through August, shipments to Mexico increased 13% to 153,591 mt, while value climbed 16% to $898.5 million. This included a strong increase in beef variety meat exports, which were up 15% to 81,816 mt, valued at $221.4 million (up 9%). Mexico is the largest volume destination for US beef variety meat.
Beef exports to Taiwan continued to trend higher in August, with shipments increasing 4% from a year ago in both volume (5,817 mt) and value ($67.6 million). After a slow start to the year, January-August exports to Taiwan pulled within 4% of last year’s volume pace at 42,669 mt, while export value climbed 6% above last year to $471.8 million.
Led by larger beef variety meat shipments to Egypt, record beef muscle cut shipments to Qatar and strengthening demand for muscle cuts in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, beef exports to the Middle East have rebounded impressively in 2024. August exports increased 40% from a year ago to 4,053 mt, valued at $17.6 million (up 18%). This pushed the January-August results 30% above last year in volume (36,501 mt) and 27% higher in value ($164.2 million).