The Middle East continued to shine as a region of tremendous growth for US beef, with totals through August running 37 higher than last year in volume (113,229 metric tons) and 46 percent higher in value ($220.7 million), statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said. Egypt was the mainstay market in the region but growth was also strong in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar – markets aggressively targeted this year by USMEF. Beef exports show strong growth in nearly all major markets. Despite slipping slightly from July in terms of volume, a strong August performance pushed beef exports 26 percent higher for the year in volume (857,680 metric tons) and 39 percent higher in value ($3.58 billion). August exports equated to 14 percent of total US production with a value of $214.11 per head of fed slaughter. (This compared to just under 12 percent and $159.59 per head last year.) For the year, beef exports equated to 14.2 percent of production with a value of $200.75 per head. "We are very excited about the growth of US beef exports, not only in traditionally strong markets but in emerging destinations as well," the federation said. Asian markets were also an excellent source of growth for US beef exports, including Japan (up 38 percent in volume to 109,051 metric tons and 44 percent in value to $583.6 million), Korea (up 49 percent to 110,017 metric tons and 41 percent to $485.6 million), Hong Kong (up 66 percent to 33,827 metric tons and 98 percent to $151.2 million) and the Philippines (up 21 percent to 9,003 metric tons and 37 percent to $25.6 million). Taiwan was the exception to this trend, dropping 7 percent in volume (22,642 metric tons) and 6 percent in value ($123.1 million) due to regulatory changes that have created an uncertain business climate for importers.
