(NAFB) – Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

While well below the record-large volume and value posted in May 2022, beef exports improved from April and were the second largest, behind March 2023. May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons, up 16 percent from a year ago, the ninth largest on record and the largest since May 2021. Export value climbed 12 percent to $731.1 million, also the highest since May 2021 and the seventh highest on record.

Pork variety meat exports were particularly outstanding in May, setting a value record of $127 million. Beef exports totaled 116,159 metric tons, down 14 percent from the May 2022 record but up four percent from the previous month. Export value was $874.7 million, down 19 percent year-over-year but two percent above April.