March 21, 2024

 

US pork exports at 251,424 metric tonnes in January

 

 

US pork continued to make gains in a wide range of Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific destinations, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

 

US pork exports totaled 251,424 metric tonnes in January, up 6% from a year ago, while export value also increased 6% to US$682.1 million.

 

January pork exports to Mexico reached 102,181 metric tonnes, up 6% from a year ago and the second largest on record, trailing only the volume in December 2023. Export value increased 8% to US$207.2 million, the seventh largest on record.

 

After a very strong finish in 2023, January pork exports to South Korea soared 53% from a year ago to 20,727 metric tonnes. Export value was up 51% to US$67.6 million. This follows a remarkable performance in December when shipments reached nearly 24,000 metric tonnes, the highest since 2019. Despite a rising presence of Canadian, Mexican and Brazilian pork in South Korea, US pork continues to make gains as the US industry retakes market share from the European Union.

 

Despite lower shipments to leading market Honduras, January pork exports to Central America jumped 22% from a year ago to 11,846 metric tonnes, while value increased 29% to US$35.7 million. Exports climbed significantly year-over-year to Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.

 

Led by outstanding growth in Colombia, January pork exports to South America climbed 53% from a year ago to 11,464 metric tonnes, valued at US$32.1 million (up 62%). Exports to Colombia have rebounded strongly since October 2023 and have held above 10,000 metric tonnes for each of the last four months.

 

January shipments to Colombia increased 57% to 10,448 metric tonnes, while value soared 70% to US$28.1 million. Exports to Chile increased 22% to 692 metric tonnes, valued at US$2.7 million (up 26%), while shipments to Peru were up 49% in volume (122 metric tonnes) and 19% in value (US$215,000).

 

US pork exports to Australia, which rebounded dramatically in 2023, continued to build momentum in January. Exports more than quadrupled from last January's low volume, jumping 374% to 9,059 metric tonnes. Export value increased 363% to US$32.8 million. US pork has also retaken share from the EU in the Australian market.

 

Exports to Malaysia, which were record-large in 2023, continued to show strength in January. Shipments were nearly 1000% larger than a year ago at 503 metric tonnes, while value increased 850% to US$1.5 million.

 

January pork shipments to Japan were the largest since August, but were down slightly year-over-year in both volume (28,216, down 1%) and value (US$114.8 million, down 1%). US pork faces intense competition from Canadian and Mexican chilled pork and from defrosted Spanish pork being sold at retail. The weak Japanese yen continues to cause customers to seek out the most affordable options, including Brazilian pork.

 

- USMEF