A USDA report says a comparison between first-quarter 2023 exports of seven animal products with the exports from the same time last year shows some improvement.
Four of the categories were year-over-year higher and three were lower so far during this year.
In the first quarter of 2023, lamb and mutton exports were up 31%, pork was up 8%, broilers 2.5% higher, and dairy product exports were 6% higher than in 2022.
USDA says the increases were due mostly to favorable prices and the depreciating value of the dollar.
Beef and veal exports were 8% lower than last year because of lower U.S. production in cattle-producing areas hit by extended drought.
Egg and egg-product shipments were 22% lower than last year, and turkey exports were 21% lower.
