US total pork exports, including pork-variety meats, in July were nearly double the volume of the same month a year ago and for the first seven months were up 70 percent from 2007.

Variety meats include organ meats such as kidneys and liver.

Data for meat exports provided by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) show the total-pork figure for July at 180,645 tonnes, putting the seven-month total at 1.2 million tonnes.

Pork exports through July have already exceeded the volume achieved through November last year. Last year's total was a record, so exports could set a new record for the 17th consecutive year as of the August shipments. Data for August will not be available until the second week in October.

Exports would have to reach just 106,510 tonnes in August for the 2008 total to match the 2007 annual figure of 1.3 million tonnes.

Analysts said the pork from nearly one in four hogs slaughtered in the US this summer has been sold into the international markets. These markets are preventing what could have been an even worse year for US hog producers since hog slaughter and pork output are setting new records as well. Record-high feed costs have significantly raised producers' break-even prices, and most lost money on hogs sold during the winter and early spring. Many are losing money again now since prices have declined from the summer highs.

Hong Kong/China remains the leading international customer for US pork through July. Sales there for the year are up 288 percent from a year ago and represent nearly 24 percent of the total. Sales to Japan, the second-largest customer, are up 24 percent by volume. Mexico, Russia and Canada round out the top five customers. Together, the five countries account for about 80 percent of total sales.

Beef exports in July also grew from a year ago, making an 18.6 percent gain by volume and 27.5 percent increase in value from the same period a year ago. Year-to-date volume is at 544,008 tonnes, up 28 percent, and value is US$1.94 billion, up 37 percent. Mexico is the leading customer for US beef with 240,820 tonnes year-to-date. Canada is second with 95,746 tons, up 37 percent from a year ago.