U.S. pork exports expected to remain strong in 2009

Pork exports in the United States (U.S.) were up 20% in November 2008 compared to levels in November 2007, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

For the first 11 months of 2008, pork and pork variety meat exports were 61% larger than 2007, nearing the 2 million metric ton mark (1,898,698 metric tons or 4.18 billion pounds). Pork exports were valued at $4.5 billion, an increase of 5%.

U.S. exports of pork and pork variety meat accounted for nearly 25% of production, with export value equating to $43 per head slaughtered compared to less than $30 per head during the same period in 2007, says the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Despite the slowing of global trade in all products, pork exports from the major suppliers (the EU, the U.S. and Canada) remained steady from September through November. Pork exports from Brazil declined by 50% in November due to reduced exports to Russia and Hong Kong.

Mexico was the top pork export market for the U.S. in November, reaching another new record at 41,402 metric tons (91.3 million pounds), up 50% from November 2007. January through November exports to Mexico increased 40% to 348,458 metric tons (768.2 million pounds) valued at $614.2 million.

January through November, Japan was still the largest destination for U.S. pork, with exports up 27% to 417,986 metric tons (921.5 million pounds) valued at $1.43 billion. U.S. exports are expected to remain strong in 2009.