November 16, 2021

US pork exports in September fall 1%

US pork exports totaled 219,687 tonnes in September, down 1% from a year ago, but value was 8% higher at US$608.3 million.

For January through September, exports were 1% above last year's record pace at 2.24 million tonnes, while value climbed 9% to US$6.23 billion.

China’s demand for US pork variety meat has remained strong even as muscle cut exports to China have eased, helping push total January-September pork variety meat exports 17% above last year to 405,744 tonnes, valued at US$949.1 million (up 26%).

Strong demand from Mexico provided another strong boost for US pork exports in September, as shipments climbed 45% from a year ago to 79,678 tonnes, the third highest volume on record, valued at US$141.6 million (up 59%). Through September, exports to Mexico were up 27% to 623,228 tonnes, while value climbed an impressive 57% to US$1.24 billion.

Pork exports to Central America climbed 63% from a year ago to 11,110 tonnes in September while value nearly doubled to US$30.9 million (up 93%). January-September exports to the region increased 48% in volume (98,547 tonnes) and 63% in value (US$263.1 million).

September exports to Colombia totaled 7,934 tonnes, up 68% from a year ago, while value more than doubled to US$20.5 million (up 103%). Through the first three quarters of the year, shipments to Colombia nearly matched the pre-COVID levels of 2019 in volume (70,905 tonnes, up 55% from a year ago) and actually moved higher in value at US$169.5 million (up 70% from a year ago and 7% above 2019).
 

- USMEF