September 17, 2012

US pork exports decline, beef exports peak in July

US pork exports decline from a year-ago period in July while beef exports reach their highest monthly total of 2012 and maintain in value.

July pork exports totalled 164,720 tonnes, down nearly 3% from a year ago and the smallest volume since October 2010. Pork export value was also down less than 3% to US$467.4 million. Nonetheless, year-to-date exports through July remained very strong - 4% above last year's record pace in volume (1.3 million tonnes) and 11% higher in value (US$3.63 billion).

Pork export value per head slaughtered in July fell to US$56.04 from US$58.84 a year ago. Year to date export value per head increased about 8% to US$57.56. Exports represented 23% of July production for muscle cuts and 26.5% when including variety meat. For January through July, these ratios were 24% and 27.5%, respectively.

While July beef export volume (108,971 tonnes) was 9.5% lower than a year ago, it was the largest monthly volume of 2012 and up 16% from June. Export value in July (US$513.5 million) was slightly higher than a year ago and up 11% from June. Year-to-date exports remained 11% below the record pace of 2011 in volume (659,433 tonnes) but increased 4% in value to US$3.17 billion.

July beef exports equated to 11% of production for muscle cuts and 14.3% when including variety meat. The respective ratios for January through July were 9.8% and 12.8%. Beef export value per head of fed slaughter totalled US$235.18 in July - down less than 1% from the record set in July 2011. For January through July, per-head export value averaged US$212.73 - topping last year's pace by 7%.