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Expansion in Meat Export Markets
4/11/2008


Sara Muri

The pork and beef export numbers are in for January and February 2008, and they look good. Data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation and released by USDA show solid gains for both the pork and beef industries.

“Export markets are more important now than ever,” says Erin Daley, manager, research & analysis for USMEF. “Producers need higher prices for their livestock, and its not coming from domestic demands right now.”

The data shows the U.S. pork industry marking February as its fifth consecutive month of record-breaking exports. For February, exports reached 346 million pounds. The combined January and February numbers show a total of 671.6 million pounds of pork exported, an amount valued at $685 million.

Daley says there is strong growth for U.S. pork, especially in China and Hong Kong. “Their pork prices are extremely high right now, and they have a shortage in production,” she says.

For the beef industry, exports for the January and February period show an increase of 40% over the same time last year. Total exports for the two months include 286.5 million pounds, valued at $442 million.

Overall, Daley says, the continued growth is due to important positive factors, such as growing worldwide consumption, strong demand and favorable prices enhanced by the weak dollar.



Pork Export Highlights, Jan. - Feb. 2008

Country Percent
Change Total Million Pounds
China/Hong Kong 287 164.7
Japan 4 143
Mexico 2 122
Canada 28 59.4
Russia 164 58.9
South Korea 2 53
Oceania 16 14.6
Central & South America 4 11.7
European Union 83 11.6
Caribbean 42 8.3
Philippines 141 7.6
Taiwan 19 5.1
Total 495.2



Beef Export Highlights, Jan. - Feb. 2008

Country Percent Change Total Million Pounds
Mexico 21 143.9
Canada 66 46.6
ASEAN 439 15.5
Japan 34* 14.9
Taiwan 21 8.5
Eurpean Union 329 4.8
Total 234.2


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