February 17, 2010

US meat exports rise in December

 
New statistics showed that total US meat exports rose in December, with pork, beef and poultry registering increases.

Pork and beef exports showed increasing momentum in the final months of 2009 as economies and currencies of trading partners strengthened and consumer confidence improved, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

US pork exports in December were up 14.3% on-year to 124,056 tonnes. Shipments to Japan, Mexico and Canada rose, and an increase of exports to Hong Kong offset a decline to China, according to CME Group’s Daily Livestock Report.

Beef exports in December totalled 55,044 tonnes, up 23.1% mainly on higher exports to Asia. Exports to Mexico in December rose 1.4% from a year ago while shipments to Canada fell 1.1%. Beef exports to South Korea surged by 122% from a year ago while exports to Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong also showed strong gains.

US broiler exports rose 5.5% from a year ago in December to 243,347 tonnes. The December exports, however, do not reflect Russia's subsequent decision to ban broiler products treated with chlorine, effectively shutting down US broiler exports to Russia.