December 24, 2015

US beef, pork exports decline in 1st 10 months

US beef and pork exports both in terms of volume and value in the 10 months through October were down compared with the same period last year, according to the latest Trade and Market Statistics released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Total beef export in the first 10 months was 877,238 metric tonnes, down 12% from January-October 2014, and valued at $5.865 billion.

Total pork export in the same period, on the other hand, was down 4% to 1,762,053 metric tonnes, valued at $4.654 billion, down 17%.

Beef exports to South Korea, however, remained strong, increasing 7% in volume from 2014. Pork exports to South Korea also showed significant growth in January-October, rising 29% in volume and 16% in value, despite the overall decline in pork export numbers.

Pork exports to Japan, which was the US' top market, were down 13% in volume and 19% in value, while exports to Mexico, the second-biggest market, increased 5% in value, but declined 20% in volume.

Beef exports to Japan, also the biggest beef market for the US, declined 15% in volume and 18% in value.—Rick Alberto