May 10, 2021

 

US pork exports in March 2021 reach 294,724 tonnes

 

The United States' March pork exports were at a record 294,724 tonnes, up 1% from last year's total, according to data released by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

 

The volume set a new value record at US$794.9 million (up 4%). For the first quarter, US pork exports were 7% below last year's pace in both volume (782,620 tonnes) and value (US$2.07 billion).

 

The US' March pork exports to Japan totaled 40,746 tonnes, up 11% from a year ago, while export value increased 13% to US$169.5 million. This pushed first quarter exports slightly ahead of last year's pace at 104,828 tonnes (up 1%) valued at US$436.2 million (up 2%).

 

US pork exports to Mexico increased 5% from a year ago in March to 66,174 tonnes, with value climbing 21% to US$130.2 million. While first quarter exports remained 4% below last year's pace at 187,012 tonnes, value was down just 1% to US$345 million.

 

After a record performance in 2020, pork exports to Central America gained even more momentum in the first quarter, jumping 47% from a year ago to 35,926 tonnes, valued at US$89.7 million (up 43%).

 

The US' first quarter pork exports to the Philippines nearly tripled from a year ago to 25,377 tonnes, up 190% year-over-year and 86% above the strong fourth quarter pace. Export value more than tripled in the first quarter to US$62.4 million, up 201%. This was achieved before the Philippine government ordered a temporary decrease in tariff rates for imported pork muscle cuts in an effort to bolster supplies and stabilise prices, which took effect April 7. Pork muscle cut exports to the Philippines soared to a record 11,736 tonnes in March, up nearly 500% from a year ago and more than double the February volume.

 

China/Hong Kong remains the largest destination for US pork in 2021, despite first quarter exports falling 20% from a year ago to 236,498 tonnes, valued at US$532.3 million (down 27%). March export value to the region was US$202.5 million, down 14% from a year ago but the highest in 10 months as exports of bone-in ham and shoulder cuts to China set a new monthly record.

 

Following a difficult year in 2020, first quarter pork exports to Colombia rebounded to 25,696 tonnes, up 26% from a year ago, while value increased 22% to US$57.6 million. March exports to Colombia were the highest since October 2019 and the sixth largest on record.

 

First quarter exports to the Dominican Republic soared 49% from a year ago to 17,472 tonnes, with value up 51% to US$40.6 million as US exports set consecutive records in February and March.

 

While slightly below last year, March pork exports to South Korea were the largest in 12 months at 17,079 tonnes, valued at US$50.6 million. This pushed first quarter exports to 46,595 tonnes, down 9% from a year ago, valued at US$135.8 million (down 11%).

 

South Korea achieved record-large pork production in 2020, reducing its reliance on imported pork, with a challenging foodservice situation also negatively impacting demand. The country is importing more belly cuts from the US and other suppliers this year, but imports in other categories remain below year-ago levels.

 

- USMEF