(NAFB.com) – June exports of U.S. beef reached the highest value in nearly two years. Data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation shows beef exports totaling 110,155 metric tons, down four percent from 2023 but the second-largest total in 2024. Export value reached $938.3 million, up three percent year-over-year and the highest level since August 2022. Despite a four percent volume decline through the first half of 2024, the export value climbed five percent to $5.22 billion. “June beef exports performed well in Japan despite the headwinds beef faced there,” says USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. June pork exports totaled 224,392 metric tons, down nine percent from 2023 and the lowest level since September. Pork export value fell five percent to $659.7 million. However, the January-June volume still reached 1.52 million metric tons, three percent above the first half of 2023, while the export value increased five percent to $4.26 billion.