BEEF exports from the United States in 2021 smashed previous records for volume and value, according to full-year data released by the US Department of Agriculture yesterday.

A strong December performance (the third largest month on record) pushed US annual beef exports past US$10 billion in value for the first time. Volume reached 1.44 million tonnes, up 15pc from a year ago and 7pc above the previous record set in 2018.

Compare this with Australia’s annual exports last year of less than 900,000t, a 36-year low, caused by herd rebuilding after drought.

Export value for US beef last year soared to $10.58 billion, up 38pc from 2020 and shattering the previous 2018 record by 27pc.

Columnist Steve Key reflected on the contrasting fortunes of the Australian and US beef industries in his February Kay’s Cuts column, published yesterday.

US beef exports to Korea, Japan and China/Hong Kong each exceeded US$2 billion in value last year, setting new volume and value records in Korea and China and a value record in Japan.

Exports also set a new value record in Taiwan and reached new heights in Central America, Colombia and Indonesia. Global exports of US beef offal meat also set a new value record of $1.09 billion last year, up 24pc year-over-year.

“The beef export results are truly remarkable, especially considering the COVID-related obstacles in the global food service sector and all the supply-side and logistical challenges faced by the US industry,” US Meat Export Federation chief executive Dan Halstrom said.

“Obviously our large Asian markets accounted for much of the growth, but it really takes broad-based global demand to reach these levels. So this success story is not just about Korea, Japan and China – but also a strong performance in Taiwan, excellent growth in Central and South America and a rebound in Mexico and Southeast Asia.”

Source: USMEF