February 22, 2012

In December 2011, US exports of beef and veal cuts and beef variety meats rose 3.3% as compared with a month earlier, and 5.7% higher as compared with a year ago.

Exports of fresh, chilled beef in December were 4% lower than the previous month, but slightly higher, compared to December 2010. Frozen beef exports were 11.3% higher, compared to the previous year, according to the USDA's International Meat Review. Exports of beef variety meats during December rose 9.9% over December 2010. Total beef variety meat exports during 2011 was 18.3% higher than 2010.

Fresh, chilled pork exports during December 2011 were up 18.8%, compared to a year ago. Frozen pork exports also rose by 39.6% over December 2010. During December, exports of pork variety meats rose 4.9%, which was relatively unchanged from December 2010. Total 2011 pork variety meat exports rose by 5.6%, compared to 2010.

During December, US beef and veal imports were up 9.8%, compared to December 2010. Fresh, chilled beef imports were slightly higher than December 2010. Frozen beef imports were 48.9%, higher than the previous year.

US pork imports during December rose 2.7%, compared to December 2010. Fresh, chilled pork and frozen pork imports were down 4.3% and 1% respectively, compared to a year ago.