As trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and others, come under scrutiny, it has blurred the picture for the future of U.S. meat exports. But U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) officials said recently they are encouraged by U.S. meat exports so far this year.

Beef exports totaled 105,310 metric tons in March, up 18 percent year-over-year, with value increasing 22 percent to $588.2 million, according to the...