November 14, 2011

US still on track to hit new meat export record

With the continued rebound of beef exports to Mexico and a record-breaking month of pork exports to China in September, the US is still on track to hit its new annual records for the value of beef, pork and lamb exports for 2011.

This is based on statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation.

September pork exports increased 23.6% in volume and 40.5% in value from September 2010, while beef exports increased 27.3% in volume and 35.9% in value. US lamb exports increased 113% in volume over September of 2010, while the value of those exports jumped 83.9%.

September pork exports equalled 26% of total US pork and pork variety meat production. Those exports were valued at US$56 per head - solid increases from September 2010 totals of 22% of production and US$40.87 per head. Beef exports accounted for 14.4% of total beef and beef variety meat production and US$212.64 in value per head of fed cattle, up from 11% of production and US$151 in value per head last year.
 

Pork exports are on track to eclipse US$5 billion in value for the year for the first time. For September, the US exported 183,495 tonnes of pork valued at US$537.6 million, which trails only March of 2011 as the second-highest monthly export value on record. So far this year, the US has exported more than 1.6 million tonnes of pork valued at nearly US$4.4 billion, increases of 16% and 25%, respectively, over the first nine months of 2010.

Pork exports were led by China/Hong Kong, which bought 47,180 tonnes of product, up 64% from last year. The 39,020 tonnes purchased by China was a new monthly record, up 92% from last year. The value of the exports to China/Hong Kong was US$101.7 million, a 129% jump from last year.

US beef exports totalled 109,708 tonnes valued at US$461 million in September. For the year, exports stand at 967,388 tonnes valued at US$4 billion, increases of 26% and 39%, respectively, over the first nine months of 2010.Beef exports were paced by Mexico, which purchased 22,054 tonnes valued at US$86.8 million, up 14% and 37%, respectively, from September of 2010.

USMEF is preparing to launch the latest wave of its "To Trust" beef imaging campaign in South Korea to help continue the momentum in that key export market.

US lamb has already passed the 2006 record year. For September, the US exported 1,418 tonnes of lamb valued at US$2.3 million. For the year, the industry has exported 14,301 tonnes valued at US$23.5 million, increases of 76% and 45%, respectively. Mexico remains the prime destination for US lamb. For the year, it has purchased 8,029 tonnes valued at US$10 million.