The strong showing in October pushed 2010 beef export value to $3.28 billion, surpassing the January-October 2003 total of $3.26 billion. Beef export value finished 2003 with an all-time, single-year record total of $3.86 billion. Compared to 2009, beef export value is up by 28 percent. In terms of volume, beef exports reached 863,046 metric tons for the year, outpacing 2009 by 16 percent. This year's ratio of total U.S. production exported is 11.4 percent, while the value per steer and heifer slaughtered is $147.62. (The per head value in October actually reached $170.00 - nearly $50.00 higher than October 2009.)

"With two months of results still to come, we anticipate the possibility of setting a new export value record this year," said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. "But the long climb back from the BSE setback of 2003 is not just about rebuilding our mainstay markets. We've established a presence for U.S. beef in many new and diverse destinations across the globe in order to get back to this level. So now the key is to achieve full restoration of all markets so we can take U.S. beef to even greater heights."

U.S. beef has achieved a significant increase in virtually every major destination except for Mexico this year, and even that market is improving. While exports to Mexico are down for the year, October totals were up 5 percent in volume (22,194 metric tons) and 10 percent in value ($71.9 million) over October 2009.

Exports to Canada are up only slightly in volume this year (123,549 metric tons) but have surged by 10 percent in value to $589 million. Japan is up 31 percent in both volume (103,057 metric tons) and value ($528.5 million). Korea remains in fourth place but has achieved exceptional growth this year, jumping 125 percent in volume (90,640 metric tons) and 168 percent in value to $422.3 million.

"The turnaround for U.S. beef in Korea has been remarkable, and USMEF remains committed to sustaining the momentum with aggressive marketing efforts, including the recent launch of phase two of the 'Trust' imaging campaign," Seng said. "Having regained a high level of consumer confidence, we are now able to emphasize the quality and enjoyment U.S. beef delivers, rather than focus solely on safety. While safety remains a key point with Korean consumers, we're now better able to differentiate U.S. beef for its flavor and consistency - which is what really appeals to buyers."

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Other markets achieving strong growth in 2010 include Russia, where exports have more than doubled in volume (49,766 metric tons) and quadrupled in value to $134.3 million. This reflects a nearly 700 percent surge in muscle cut exports to Russia, valued at $95.3 million. Exports to Taiwan have eclipsed the previous record, reaching 31,522 metric tons valued at $172.4 million. This is an increase of 42 percent in volume and 51 percent in value over 2009. Exports to Hong Kong are also up sharply this year - 53 percent in volume (28,735 metric tons) and 70 percent in value ($109.2 million).

The Middle East has emerged as a region of tremendous growth for U.S. beef, increasing by 28 percent in volume (104,732 metric tons) and 65 percent in value to $200 million. Like Russia, this sharp increase in value reflects a strong surge in muscle cut demand, though the region remains a top destination for beef variety meat. Exports to the ASEAN region are up 10 percent in volume (57,321 metric tons) and 16 percent in value to $187.4 million, despite a down year for exports to Vietnam. Strong growth in Indonesia and the Philippines has fueled the ASEAN region's solid performance.end_mark