February 20, 2023

Export value of US pork third biggest on record last year

US pork exports finished lower year-over-year in 2022 but export value was the third largest on record with record export volumes to Mexico.

December pork exports reached 244,718 tonnes, up 13% year-over-year and the second largest of 2022 (slightly below November). December export value climbed 14% to US$687.3 million. These results pushed 2022 exports to 2.67 million tonnes, down 8.5% from a year ago, while export value was US$7.68 billion — down 5% from the record achieved in 2021.

Pork exports to Mexico posted another volume record in December at 90,175 tonnes, up 13%. December export value was US$198.3 million, up 42% and the third highest on record. These results pushed 2022 exports to a record 959,701 tonnes, up 10% from a year ago, while export value soared 21% to US$2.03 billion, topping the US$2 billion mark for the first time.

December exports also trended higher year-over-year to China/Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Australia, and set a value record in Central America.

Pork exports to the Dominican Republic also closed 2022 posting the second largest volume on record in December at 9,466 tonnes (up 80% year-over-year, trailing only November 2022). December export value more than doubled from a year ago to US$28.8 million, up 125%. Exports to the Dominican Republic set annual records in both volume (85,551 tonnes, up 46%) and value (US$233.6 million, up 55%).

Pork exports to China/Hong Kong were slow in the first half of 2022 but strengthened notably in the second half. This trend continued in December as exports reached 56,230 tonnes (up 66% year-over-year), valued at US$137.7 million (up 49%). While this was largely driven by demand for variety meat, pork muscle cut exports to the region also increased 53% to 20,522 tonnes, valued at US$55.9 million (up 75%). For the full year, pork and pork variety meat exports to China/Hong Kong were down 26% to 542,443 tonnes, valued at US$1.39 billion (down 20%).

December volume of pork variety meat exports was 54,056 tonnes, up 54% from a year ago, while export value increased 35% to US$124.4 million.

In both volume and value, December exports were the third largest on record. 2022 exports of US pork variety meat totaled 530,290 tonnes, up 2% year-over-year and the second largest on record, while export value was record-high at US$1.27 billion (up 3%).

Exports to China/Hong Kong set annual records for both volume (338,467 tonnes, up 3% year-over-year) and value (US$841.1 million, up 4%), while shipments also increased to the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Guatemala, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and South Africa.

- USMEF