USA: pork exports up

According to the latest report of USMEF, for January through September, pork exports were up 2 percent in volume at 1.657 million metric tons and up 6 percent in value to $4.6 billion. Exports equated to 23.6 percent of muscle cut production and 27 percent when including both muscle cuts and variety meat (compared to last year’s ratios of 22.8 percent and 27 percent). Export value equated to $56.16 per head slaughtered, 4.5 percent above the per-head average established during the same period last year.

• For the year, exports to Mexico were 15 percent higher in volume (443,442 mt) and 11 percent higher in value ($820 million). Mexico is the leading volume market for U.S. pork and ranks second in value to Japan.
• Through the first nine months of 2012, export value to Japan was up 4 percent to $1.495 billion despite a 6 percent decline in volume to 344,362 mt.
• Exports to Canada have posted steady growth in 2012, with January-September volume up 14 percent to 172,812 mt and value climbing 16 percent to $628.2 million.
• January-September exports to the China/Hong Kong region were still ahead of last year’s pace in both volume (313,425 mt, +4 percent) and value ($632.4 million, +21 percent).