USMEF: Pork, Beef Exports both Achieved 2010 Highs in November

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

17-Jan-2011 (15 years 4 months 22 days ago)
November exports of U.S. pork and beef reached their highest monthly volumes in more than two years, according to results compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports totaled 177,203 metric tons valued at $443.4 million - increases of 5 percent in volume and 15 percent in value over November 2009. For January through November, exports were up 2 percent in volume (1.73 million metric tons) and 10 percent in value ($4.34 billion). The cumulative value total is just 4 percent below the all-time record pace set in the first 11 months of 2008. For the year, exports accounted for 23.6 percent of production with a per-head value equivalent of $43.61 ($44.80 in November alone). For the same period in 2009, exports equated to 22.5 percent of production with a per-head value of $38.42. In the record export year of 2008, the per-head value was $42.30.

"November was clearly one of the best months on record for U.S. meat exports," said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. "With economies improving throughout the world, U.S. pork and beef are well-positioned for strong growth. We worked through some very difficult economic circumstances in 2009, but we're now seeing those persistent marketing efforts pay big dividends as exports are adding more and more value to every animal produced."

Mexico, Canada, ASEAN post big gains for pork, while Japan still shines in terms of value

January-November exports to Japan, the leading value destination for U.S. pork, broke the $1.5 billion mark for the third consecutive year, exceeding the previous year's pace by 6 percent. In terms of volume (397,528 metric tons), exports to Japan are up 2 percent. Mexico is the leading volume destination at 491,314 metric tons - up 9 percent and just short of the single-year record. Export value to Mexico has already set a new record of $890.6 million.

Pork exports to Canada for the year are up 7 percent in volume (164,767 metric tons) and 18 percent in value ($562.6 million). Despite a down year for Vietnam, exports to the ASEAN region - led by strong results in the Philippines and Singapore - are up 19 percent in volume (62,006 metric tons) and 32 percent in value ($125.1 million).

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