April 17, 2012

US pork exports for February were 9% ahead of a year ago in volume and up 21% in value, according to USDA statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

For the first two months of the year, pork exports increased 18% by volume and 31% in value from a year ago.

Livestock analysts in the CME Group's Daily Livestock Report, however, warned that these increases mask the fact that shipments to China/Hong Kong, which drove much of the price appreciation last fall and winter, have pulled back sharply and that trend bears watching.

Pork exports to Mexico, the largest volume market for US pork, were lower than the record tonnage recorded in December and January but still outpaced last February's results in both volume and value, according to USMEF.

February beef export volume (including variety meats) was 3% lower than a year ago while export value increased by 10%.

For the first two months of the year, beef exports were down 2% in volume and up 12% in value.