January 18, 2011

US pork exports hit record high in November 2010

US pork and beef exports attained their highest monthly capacities in more than two years, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

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

Beef export value in November was US$389.5 million, an increase of nearly 50% over November 2009. By volume (101,323 tonnes), beef exports exceeded the year-ago level by 32%. For the first 11 months of 2010, exports were 18% above 2009 in terms of volume (964,369 tonnes) and 30% higher by value (US$3.67 billion). The value total is about one % ahead of the 2003 pace when beef exports went on to set a single-year record of $3.86 billion. Exports accounted for 11.6% of production with a per-head value equivalent of US$150.36 (US$178), 20 in November – up dramatically from the 2009 totals of 9.8% and US$117.80.

"November was clearly one of the best months on record for US meat exports," said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. "With economies improving throughout the world, US 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 to November exports to Japan, the leading value destination for US pork, broke the US$1.5 billion mark for the third consecutive year, exceeding the previous year's pace by 6%. In terms of volume (397,528 tonnes), exports to Japan are up 2%. Mexico is the leading volume destination at 491,314 tonnes – up 9% and just short of the single-year record. Export value to Mexico has already set a new record of US$890.6 million.

Pork exports to Canada for the year are up 7% in volume (164,767 tonnes) and 18% in value (US$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% in volume (62,006 tonnes) and 32% in value (US$125.1 million).