US beef exports decline but not to Asean

According to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) data, US beef exports in August fell below year-ago levels. Pork and lamb exports, however, trended higher. Beef exports trended higher to China/Taiwan, the Middle East, and the Asean region but declined to Japan, South Korea, and China/Hong Kong. “Beef demand in our major Asian markets seemed to lose momentum in August, but exports held up well to Mexico, Taiwan, and the Middle East,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer. “The headwinds in Asia remain formidable, but we are encouraged by the region’s ongoing tourism rebound.