(NAFB) – Coming off a record-breaking performance in 2021, U.S. beef exports remained red-hot in January, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Pork exports continued to trend lower in January, despite another outstanding month for exports to leading market Mexico. Beef exports totaled 119,066 metric tons, up 13 percent from a year ago, while value soared 57 percent to $1.03 billion. This was the third-highest value total on record – trailing only August and November of last year – and export value per head of fed slaughter set a new record, exceeding $500 for the first time.

January pork exports totaled 208,808 metric tons, down 16 percent from a year ago, while export value fell 14 percent to $555.6 million. Exports to Mexico were up 36 percent from a year ago to more than 87,000 metric tons. January exports of U.S. lamb totaled 1,533 mt, up 49 percent from a year ago, while export value climbed 59 percent to $1.9 million.