March 17, 2009
US Jan '09 pork exports maintain strong
Even as analysts predicted a downturn for meat exports due to an uncertain economy and lesser consumer spending, US pork exports in January still achieved strong results.
Pork muscle cut exports declined by 4 percent in volume to 112,417 tonnes compared to January 2008, but increased by 2 percent in value to US$295.8 million.
Pork variety meat surged by 46 percent in volume to 44,233 tonnes and by 44 percent in value to US$64.4 million, which resulted in total pork plus pork variety meat exports of 156,650 tonnes valued at US$360.2 million - an increase of 6 percent in volume and 8 percent in value over January 2008.
US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and chief executive officer Philip Seng said January pork export results were impressive, especially when compared to the unprecedented export levels of 2008.
Total beef and beef variety meat exports in January were up 4 percent in value to US$233 million, and essentially held even with January 2008 in terms of volume at 66,457 tonnes.
