February 18, 2008

 

US pork and beef exports 2007 overview

 

 

US pork and beef industries had enjoyed outstanding export results in 2007, with pork and beef exports value increasing by 10 percent and 32 percent respectively.

 

Pork exports have increased 3 percent in volume over 2006, surpassing 1.3 million tonnes. Exports value has also soared by 10 percent, exceeding US$3.15 billion.

 

Pork muscle cut exports increased 3 percent in volume and 10 percent in value while pork variety meat exports increased 5 percent in volume and 14 percent in value.

 

Japan accounts for 36 percent of pork exports value, as it imported 358,582 tonnes of pork in 2007, which is a 6-percent increase on-year.

 

Pork exports to Mexico totalled 276,388 tonnes, although the exports demand has declined due to Mexico's increased domestic meat production.

 

China's import volume has skyrocketed by 91 percent to 169,160 tonnes, valued at nearly US$271 million.

 

Canada's pork exports value is at US$491.6 million, a 12-percent increase over 2006.

 

Pork exports to Russia peaked at 99,876 tonnes, a 21-percent increase, valued at nearly US$207 million.

 

Pork exports to South Korea fell by 9 percent to 99,852 tonnes, but the value has remained at US$231 million.

 

Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also increased 62 percent to 15,672 tonnes, valued at $30.5 million.

 

 

Beef exports

 

US beef exports in 2007 has increased by 24 percent to 464,301 tonnes and 32 percent in value to more than US$2 billion.

 

Beef variety meat exports increased 9 percent to 306,895 tonnes and 18 percent in value of US$613 million. Together, beef and beef variety meat exports have increased by 18 percent to 771,196 tonnes, a 28-percent increase in value to US$2.62 billion.

 

Beef exports to Canada increased 37 percent to 132,144 tonnes, valued at US$602 million.

 

Beef exports to Japan have increased sharply by 265 percent to 44,718 tonnes, with a value of nearly US$230 million.

 

South Korea imported 24,240 tonnes of US beef, valued at US$117.3 million.

 

Exports to Taiwan have also increased by 6 percent to 22,566 tonnes, valued at US$107 million.

 

Exports to the ASEAN region increased by 246 percent to 14,882 tonnes, valued at more than US$43 million.

 

Exports to Hong Kong increased by 205 percent to 9,438 tonnes, although the exports are still limited to boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months old.

 

EU has also increased US beef imports by 137 percent to 7,961 tonnes, valued at more than US$42 million. EU's ban on Brazilian beef exports could positively influence US beef exports to the EU and the global beef trade.

 

Erin Daley, USMEF manager of research and analysis, said the weakening US dollar enhances the competitiveness of US exports while high global protein prices and strong demand provides potential for US beef and pork exports.

 

"Access to foreign markets is critical for the United States to take advantage of these unprecedented global opportunities this year," Daley said.