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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).
Other market highlights include:
- For the China/Hong Kong region, January-November exports were 11 percent higher in volume (254,554 metric tons) and 7 percent higher in value ($405.8 million). Exports to China were up significantly over 2009, but U.S. pork was absent for much of that year due to A-H1N1 influenza restrictions. Exports to Hong Kong were lower, offsetting some of the gains in China.
- Exports to Russia were down for the year, but U.S. pork got off to a slow start in 2010 due to very limited market access. November export volume (11,214 metric tons) was still lower than in 2009 but value ($31.76 million) was actually higher. With nearly 59,000 metric tons of muscle cut exports, the U.S. has filled its 2010 quota (57,500 metric tons).
- Exports to Australia set a new single-year record in both volume (48,673 metric tons, up 8 percent) and value $136.9 million (up 27 percent).
- Latin American markets continue to perform very well, with exports to Central and South America up 32 percent in volume (54,123 metric tons) and 41 percent in value ($128.5 million). Free trade agreements have helped boost exports to the leading markets of Honduras and Guatemala and strong growth to Colombia could also be accelerated through approval of a pending FTA. Exports to the Caribbean were up 7 percent in volume (39,780 metric tons) and 20 percent in value ($85.2 million).
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)
