July US pork exports were slightly less than last year but accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation.
The USMEF added in a release that market access obstacles continued to weigh heavily on US beef exports, with the vast majority of plants still ineligible to ship to China.
PORK EXPORTS REMAIN STRONG
July pork exports totaled 238,922 tonnes, down 2,288 tonnes, or 0.95%, from 241,210 a year ago, while value fell $29.627 million, or 4.35%, to $680.870 million from $710.497 million a year ago, largely reflecting the 10% decline in pork variety meat prices because of China’s tariffs, the USMEF said.
Through the first seven months of 2025, pork exports were 1.694 million tonnes, 63,845 tonnes, or 3.63%, less than last year’s record pace of 1.758 million tonnes. Year-to-date value was $4.794 billion, up $178.746 million, or 9.06%, from $4.973 billion last year.
Mexico accounted for 10.9% of US pork muscle cut production in July and from January through July, up from 10.6% in the same period last year, the USMEF said. Through July, pork exports to Mexico were 2% more than last year’s record pace at 678,815 mt, while value increased 6% to $1.53 billion.
CHINA DRAGS US BEEF PLANT APPROVAL
With shipments to China nearly halted because of a lack of eligible plants, July beef exports totaled 89,579 tonnes, down 20,840 tonnes, or 18.9%, from 110,419 tonnes a year ago and the lowest in five years, the USMEF said. Export value declined $158.409 million, or 17.4%. to $752.516 million from $910.925 million, the lowest since January 2023.
From January through July, US beef exports were 62,401 tonnes, or 8,27%, less than last year in volume at 691,800 tonnes, compared with 754,201 tonnes last year and down $463.117 million, or 7.55%, in value at $5.671 billion versus $6.134 billion, the USMEF said.
July was a robust month for US beef exports to leading market South Korea, with shipments climbing 13% from a year ago to 19,907 tonnes, the USMEF said. Export value increased 10% to $186.4 million.
Through July, US beef exports to South Korea were 9% more than last year’s pace in volume, at 146,084 tonnes, and value, at $1.39 billion, the USMEF said.
South Korea maintains a ban on US beef from cattle more than 30 months of age and restricts certain products derived from cattle less than 30 months of age, the USMEF said. South Korea also requires Canadian cattle be fed for at least 100 days in the US.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $243.43 per cwt to $243.74, compared with last week’s range of $242.00 to $246.00 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $381.96 per cwt to $382.41, compared with $379.65 to $387.65.
The USDA choice cutout Friday was down $3.45 per cwt at $410.76 while select was down $2.58 at $385.19. The choice/select spread narrowed to $25.57 from $26.44 with 96 loads of fabricated product and 23 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $435.89 per cwt, and 50% beef was $158.55.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were steady to down $0.05 at $1.05 to $1.20 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.21 3/4, up $0.03 3/4.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Friday was $367.03 per cwt, up $3.07. This compares with Monday’s Sep contract settlement of $360.82, up $0.80.