March 24, 2004

USDA Projects 2004 US Pork Exports At 828,000 MT, Imports At 531,00

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected Tuesday, U.S. exports of pork in 2004 would
increase 6.3% from 2003 to 828,000 metric tons and imports would decrease 1.3% from 2003 to 531,000 metric tons.
 
MAJOR EXPORTERS:
 
European Union, the world's largest exporter of pork, is expected to reduce exports in 2004 by 0.9% from 2003 to 1.140 million metric tons.
 
Canada export projections for pork in 2004 are up 7.8% from 2003 to 1.050 million metric tons.
 
USDA predicts Brazil will decrease exports of pork in 2004 by 29.5% from 2003 to 425,000 metric tons.
 
MAJOR IMPORTERS:
 
Japan, the world's leading importer of pork, is estimated in 2004 to increase by 14.7% from 2003 to 1.300 million metric tons.
 
In 1,000 metric tons (carcas weight equivalent). 2004 datais projected, 2003 data is preliminary and 2002 data is final. Percent changes are from the previous year.
 
Source: USDA Foreign Agriculture Service.
 
EXPORTS
Country            2004   % chg      2003    % chg      2002    % chg
EU                   1,140    -0.9       1,150      -3.7       1,194     -3.3
Canada            1,050     7.8         974      12.7          864     18.7
Brazil                 425   -29.5         603       2.2          590      75.1
Rep of China      370     31.2         282     30.6          216      55.4
Poland               100    -45.1         182     95.7           93        5.7
Hungary              80    -11.1          90     -28.0         125        5.9
Australia             75       1.4          74       -5.1           78      16.4
Mexico                60     25.0          48     -21.3            61       0.0
Czech Rep          30    -11.8          34       17.2           29    107.1
Rep of Korea       20     17.6          17        6.3           16     -61.9
Others                 9     -30.8          13    225.0             4     -33.3
  Ttl Foreign     3,359     -3.1      3,467       6.0       3,270      15.3
  Ttl US              828      6.3         779       6.6          731        3.2
  Ttl World       4,187     -1.4      4,246       6.1       4,001       12.9
 
IMPORTS

Country           2004   % chg      2003    % chg      2002   % chg
Japan              1,300    14.7      1,133      -2.5       1,162      8.8
Russian Fed        560     -6.7        600     -25.0         800    42.9
Mexico               385      3.8         371      14.2         325    10.5
Hong Kong         335     10.9        302        9.8         275      5.8
Rep of Korea      175     14.4        153      -1.3         155     26.0
Rep of China      155       4.0        149       2.8         145     54.3
Canada              100      9.9          91        0.0          91       0.0
EU                       70      0.0          70        7.7          65     18.2
Australia              65     -3.0          67      21.8          55      44.7
Taiwan                60     11.1          54      74.2          31   121.4
Others               185    -10.2        206     -16.9        248     23.4
  Ttl Foreign     3,390       6.1     3,196      -4.7      3,352     19.8
  Ttl US              531     -1.3         538      10.9        485     12.5
  Ttl World       3,921      5.0      3,734       -2.7     3,837     18.8