U.S. Pork, Beef Exports off to Solid Start in 2011

March 30, 2011 — 

January exports of U.S. pork were well above year-ago levels, though it took a step back from the totals recorded in the previous month, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports totaled 165,138 metric tons valued at $396.9 million - an increase of 15 percent in volume and 19 percent in value over January 2010.

Japan showed no letdown from its record-breaking performance of 2010, when it purchased more than $1.6 billion in U.S. Pork. January exports to Japan totaled 35,765 metric tons valued at $133.5 million - an increase of 28 percent in volume and 24 percent in value over a year ago.

Exports to China were also strong, reaching 19,258 metric tons valued at $29.1 million. This market was essentially closed in January 2010, making a year-over-year comparison difficult. But this volume total is about 90 percent of that achieved in January 2008 - a year of record-large exports to China.

South Korea's foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation has resulted in widespread culling of swine and is creating a need for more imported pork. U.S. exports to Korea were up 128 percent in volume at 13,183 metric tons and 163 percent in value at $32.1 million, compared to January 2010. Global Trade Atlas data show that Korea's pork imports from all sources have increased by about 60 percent over a year ago.

Exports to the top Central American markets of Honduras and Guatemala showed solid growth, with Honduras up 20 percent in volume at 1,757 metric tons and nearly 40 percent in value at $3.9 million, while Guatemala was up 41 percent in volume at 683 metric tons and 29 percent in value at $1.5 million.

Exports to the Australia/New Zealand region were flat in volume at 4,330 metric tons but surged by 46 percent in value to $13.7 million. New Zealand was especially strong, with exports more than doubling in volume and jumping 154 percent in value.

Mexico, which just missed the $1 billion mark for U.S. Pork during a record-breaking 2010, cooled slightly in January but still purchased 50,148 metric tons valued at $86.9 million. This was lower than January 2010 but still higher in value than the 2010 monthly average.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
[Editor's notes: Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat, unless otherwise indicated.
One metric ton = 2,204.622 pounds]

Source: Pork Leader, March 24, 2011