June 21, 2005

Continued rise in US pork exports expected

US pork exports posted a year-on-year increase of 20 percent in the first quarter of 2005 while imports declined 11 percent.

Factors attributed to the recent surge in US pork exports include competitive US dollar exchange rates, foreign BSE limitations on beef exports, and the impact of bird flu on the Asian poultry industry. For the rest of 2005 and 2006, international trade would be a key to US pork and hog prices.

Yearly increases in US pork exports are expected to continue throughout 2006. But the percentage increases will likely be moderate compared with gains recorded in 2004 and early 2005. This year's pork exports are expected to increase about 10 percent from last year, but the growth rate could slow to just two percent in 2006.

Source: K-State Research and Extension