U.S. red meat exports ended the first quarter on a very high note, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), with March beef and pork exports each posting the highest monthly value on record.

Beef exports totaled 124,808 metric tons in March, up 8% from a year ago and the second largest of the post-BSE era. Export value broke the $800 million mark for the first time at $801.9 million, up 14% year-over-year. 

March pork exports were...