DENVER, CO – While U.S. beef exports have been red-hot on the grill this year, pork exports are beginning to trend lower as demand from China and Hong Kong falls in light of their slow recovery from African Swine Fever (ASF).
According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), larger shipments to Mexico and Japan have been bright spots but logistic challenges and lower prices from competitors have pushed February exports down 17 percent from one year ago and export values down 14 percent.
In 2021, the u.S. pork industry delivered record strong exports to Mexico and that momentum continued through the second month of 2022 with volumes more than 33 percent higher than the first two months of 2021, and values up 19 percent.
Dan Halstrom is President and CEO of USMEF and says despite a slow start to the year, pork exports to Japan rebounded in February led by larger shipments of chilled cuts and variety meat, and exports to South Korea continue to post impressive value gains, fueled by larger shipments of chilled pork.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)