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United States March pork exports totaled 260,195 metric tons (mt), up 17% year-over-year and the ninth largest volume on record. Export value was also ninth largest at $724 million, up 18% from a year ago. These results capped a strong first quarter for U.S. pork as exports reached 716,691 mt, up 14% from a year ago, valued at $1.96 billion (up 15%).
March exports to Mexico totaled 95,030 mt, up 15% from a year ago and the second largest on record (behind January 2023), while value climbed 31% to $195.7 million. First quarter shipments to Mexico were up 11% to 270,056 mt, while value soared 34% to $541.7 million.
March pork exports to the Dominican Republic totaled 13,181 mt, up 87% from a year ago and shattering the previous record (10,681 mt) set in February. Export value to the DR also reached a record $33.6 million, up 88%. With a rapid rebound in tourism, strong retail demand, a significant tariff advantage over other major suppliers and domestic production still limited due to African swine fever (ASF), first quarter exports to the DR climbed 72% from last year’s record pace to 32,047 mt, while export value was up 87% to $85.1 million.
With reduced import tariffs and domestic production still struggling to recover from ASF, demand for U.S. pork is strengthening in the Philippines. March exports were the largest since August at 5,077 mt, up 65% from a year ago, valued at $9.6 million (up 42%). First quarter exports to the Philippines totaled 11,769 mt, up 49%, while export value climbed 43% to $28.9 million. For the ASEAN region, first quarter exports increased 49% in volume (13,960 mt) and 40% in value ($35.2 million).
Exports to Malaysia are on a record pace at 556 mt, up from just 73 mt a year ago, including record-large shipments of 467 mt in March as Malaysian production is also impacted by ASF and high input costs.
Exports to China/Hong Kong continue to trend well above year-ago levels, with first quarter shipments up 29% to 134,881, while export value increased 26% to $352.2 million, mainly driven by the strong growth in variety meats.
May 5, 2023/ USMEF/ United States.
https://www.usmef.org
