The West Coast port slowdown and labor dispute sharply lowered January meat ex­­ports, according to data released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The data was compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

January beef exports of 79,899 metric tons were down 18 percent with a value of $503.57 million, down 2 percent. January pork exports...