October 18, 2021

US pork exports rise 4% in August

US pork exports totaled 225,822mt in August, up 4% from a year ago, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

The value of these exports increased 20% to US$633.9 million as record shipments to Mexico and strong growth in several other markets helped offset the expected slowdown in muscle cut exports to China.

For January through August, exports were 1.5% above last year at just over two million mt, while value climbed 10% to US$5.62 billion. Pork exports are on a record pace to Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic, and chilled pork exports to Japan and South Korea are above last year.

While China's swine herd recovery has caused pork muscle cut exports to moderate in 2021, China's demand for US pork variety meat remains extremely strong and continues to play a key role in maximising carcass value.

Through August, pork variety meat exports to China/Hong Kong increased 23% to 231,283mt, valued at US$558 million (up 29%).

- USMEF