April 13, 2006

US January-February pork exports up 21 percent on-year

US pork exports through the first two months of this year were up 21 percent from a year ago, holding the torrid pace set in January.

The US Meat Export Federation's website shows muscle-meat pork exports through the end of February at 164,531 tonnes, versus 135,840 tonnes a year ago. Total pork exports, which include variety meats such as hearts and kidneys, were at 208,902 tonnes, also 21 percent above the year-ago figure of 172,185 tonnes.

The value of the export sales was up only 9 percent from a year ago for muscle meats and 10 percent for total pork, and the difference between the volume and value percentages is due to lower wholesale hog and pork prices this year.

Japan remains the leading international market for US pork muscle meats but Mexico ranks as the top customer in total pork sales. The top three customers--Mexico, Japan and Canada--combined account for 66 percent of total pork exports.

USMEF shows beef exports were up as well from a year ago. Muscle meat beef cuts for January and February were 66 percent above the same period a year ago, while total beef sales including variety meats were up 32 percent. Mexico purchased 51,308 tonnes, or nearly 59 percent, of the beef exported by the US in the first two months. Canada took in 11,475 tonnes, or 13 percent of the US beef sold internationally.

The value of the beef exports was up 76 percent for muscle meats from a year ago, and the total beef export value was up 57 percent from the same period last year.