The May export numbers were released this week; plant shutdowns which hit beef and pork packing plants reduced export totals month over month compared to April. Beef was particularly impacted and dropped to the lowest monthly value in 10 years. Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $282.48 in May, down 10 percent from May 2019.  

Pork exports were above May 2019 levels when tariffs were in place by largest volume market Mexico (though removed in the second half of the month), largest variety meat market and global import leader China, and U.S. pork was at a tariff disadvantage to EU and other countries in largest value market Japan. Nonetheless, May exports were the lowest since October when exports to China ramp...