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Production:
According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the Post 2012 Mexican pork production forecast is 1.215 million metric tons (MMT), carcass weight equivalent (CWE), higher than the USDA forecast. This increase is driven by specific requirements from Mexican export markets, the incorporation of new breeding lines that are better able to adapt to the Mexican production system, and better farm management techniques. The Post 2011 pork production forecast has been increased slightly, as well, from the USDA estimate for the above mentioned reasons.
Traditionally, Mexican producers supply live swine for slaughter at a weight of 105 kilograms for the purpose of ensuring leaner meat carcasses. Beginning in 2011 and in 2012, however, some slaughter operations producing swine for export are holding hogs until they reach 120 kilograms. Additionally, better genetics in the breeding swine population are producing more live animals per litter and have resulted in hog herds that are able to gain the desired market weight in less than 180 days, which is the Mexican industry average.
Trade:
Mexico’s imports consist of hams and mechanically deboned meat (MDM) for the preparation of sausages, deli hams, and other cold cuts. The Post 2012 pork import forecast remains the same as the USDA forecast (650,000 MT CWE). The Post 2011 revised pork import estimate of 594,000 MT (CWE) is lower than the USDA estimate as higher international pork prices and competing international demand increased prices so that lower-income consumers needed to switch to lesser expensive animal proteins.
Although Mexico is a net meat importer, it is expected that during 2012, exports of pork meat to Japan will continue.
Wednesday March 21, 2012/ FAS-USDA/ United States.
http://gain.fas.usda.gov/
