Exports of US pork bounced back in June, finishing the first half of 2025 on a high note, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation.
Beef export volume was the lowest in five years, due in part to China’s failure to renew registrations for the vast majority of US plants, the USMEF said in a release.
PORK EXPORTS UP 7%
June pork exports totaled 239,304 tonnes, up 14,912 tonnes, or 6.65%, from 224,392 tonnes a year ago, while value increased $22.931 million, or 3.48%, to $682.599 million from $659.668 million, the USMEF said.
For the first half of the year, exports were down 62,000 tonnes, or 4.09%, from last year’s record pace of 1.517 million tonnes at 1.455 million tonnes, the USMEF said. Export value was $4.113 billion, down $150,000, or 3.52%, from $4.263 billion a year ago but still the third highest first-half total on record.
Leading market Mexico was the pacesetter for June pork exports at 102,750 tonnes, up 24% from a year ago, the USMEF said. Export value soared 33% to $249.4 million – the second highest on record, trailing only December 2024.
That included a 20% increase in muscle cuts to 85,709 tonnes, accounting for 12% of US pork production for the month, the USMEF said. These exports went at higher prices, as value increased by one-third to $221 million.
For the first half of 2025, Mexico accounted for nearly 11% of US pork muscle cut production, the USMEF said.
BEEF EXPORTS DOWN 15%
Beef exports totaled 93,928 tonnes in June, down 16,227, or 14.7%, from 110,155 tonnes a year ago and the lowest since June 2020, the UMEF reported. Export value was $769.031 million, down $167.277 million, or 17.9%, from $936.308 million and the lowest in 17 months.
For January through June, beef exports were 41,561 tonnes, or 6.46%, less than last year’s pace of 643,782 tonnes at 602,221 tonnes, while value fell $305,000, or 5.84%, to $4.919 billion from $5.224 billion.
Lack of access to China’s beef market not only resulted directly in lost business and missed opportunities, but the US beef industry also lost the premiums generated when Chinese buyers compete for cuts that are especially popular throughout Asia, such as short plate, top blade, chuck rolls and short ribs, the USMEF said. Without exports to China, the USMEF estimated the US beef industry’s lost opportunity at $150 to $165 per head of fed slaughter, or about $4 billion annually.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $235.00 per cwt to $242.27, compared with last week’s range of $233.00 to $241.92 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $366.72 per cwt to $388.63, compared with $365.34 to $382.74.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was up $4.08 per cwt at $378.94 while select was up $2.39 at $353.75. The choice/select spread widened to $25.19 from $23.50 with 48 loads of fabricated product and 22 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $417.97 per cwt, and 50% beef was $201.86.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.45 to $1.60 a bushel over the Sep corn contract, which settled at $3.84 1/2, up $0.04 3/4.
No live cattle delivery intentions were posted.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Wednesday was $336.97 per cwt, up $0.76. This compares with Thursday’s Aug contract settlement of $348.65, up $3.62.