U.S. red meat exports ended the first half of 2016 on a positive note as June export values for both pork and beef were the highest of the year. The U.S. Meat Export Federation says June also marked the second consecutive month of solid year-over-year volume growth. Pork exports reached 187,900 metric tons in June, up eight percent from a year ago, while export value increased 11 percent to $505.4 million. For the first half of the year, pork export volume was up two percent to 1.1 million metric tons, but value was down four percent to $2.77 billion. June beef export volume increased two percent from a year ago to 98,000 metric tons, while export value was $545.4 million, down five percent. First-half export volume was up three percent to 541,000 some metric tons, while value fell 10 percent to $2.91 billion.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.