February 15, 2011
 

US pork, beef exports see further increase in December 2010

US total beef exports in December 2010 were 73,447 tonnes, 18,403 tonnes or 33% more than 2009, while pork exports were also notably higher, according to data from the US Census Bureau released on Friday (Feb 11).

Mexico and Canada remain the top two markets for US beef, accounting for 21% and 20% of US beef shipments in December, respectively.

Beef exports to Mexico were reported to be 15,213 tonnes, 5% lower than the previous year. Shipments to Canada, on the other hand, were 14,537 tonnes, 51% larger than the previous year and accounting for almost a third of the overall increase in beef exports for the month.

Japan and South Korea used to be the two primary markets for US beef (prior to the BSE outbreak) and they are quickly gaining in importance. December exports to South Korea, which has been devastated by FMD disease, were 9,825 tonnes, 39% higher than a year ago.

Exports to Japan at 7,662 tonnes were 59% higher than a year ago. Hong Kong also has emerged as a significant market for US beef, largely due to limited supplies from Brazil. Exports to Hong Kong in December were 5,914 tonnes, 132% higher than a year ago.

US pork exports in December were notably higher than a year ago, the second consecutive month of year over year increases in pork exports. Total shipments were reported at 136,610 tonnes, 10.1% higher than a year ago. Most major markets showed good growth in December.

Mexico has once again emerged as the main market for US pork with December shipments reported at 41,126 tonnes, 5% higher than a year ago and the largest pork volume ever shipped for any given month to this market. Exports to Japan also continue to grow and at 35,985 tonnes they were 14% higher than a year ago.

South Korea greatly increased its purchases of US pork in December and at 9,480 tonnes exports to this market were 60% larger than a year ago. Exports of pork variety meats in December were 46,834 tonnes, 21% higher than a year ago.

More than 80% of the US pork variety meat exports in December went to three destinations, Mexico, China and Hong Kong. Indeed, China/HK market has emerged as a big buyer of US pork variety meats, with total December exports of 24,711 tonnes, a 45% increase from year ago levels.