July 14, 2011

US pork, beef exports increase in May

US pork and beef shipments in May surpassed year-ago volume by a significant amount and kept year-to-date outcome on a very strong rate, according to statistics revealed by USDA and consolidated by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports totalled 181,469 tonnes valued at US$481.2 million, an 11% jump in volume and 15% in value over May 2010 levels. Volume was steady with the April 2011 results, while value declined by about 1%. Year-to-date through May, pork exports were up 16% in volume (916,763 tonnes) and 22% in value (US$2.35 billion) over 2010, and results were 11% higher in volume and 26% higher in value than the all-time record pace set in 2008. Exports equated to 28.7% of total US production with a per-head value of US$56.81 compared to 27.9% and US$53.10 per head in May 2010.

May beef exports were 21% higher in volume (109,741 metric tonnes) and 30% higher in value (US$453.9 million) than a year ago. It was the second-strongest month of 2011 in terms of both volume and value, trailing only the all-time record results posted in March. Year-to-date through May, beef exports reached 509,489 tonnes valued at US$2.09 billion, surpassing last year's pace by 28% in volume and 44% in value. Exports equated to 14.8% of total US production with a value of US$205.07 per head of fed slaughter. This compares to 12.6% and US$160.30 per head in May 2010.