Americans export plenty of pork

The latest figures from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Meat Export Federation show that the pork exports rose by 13% in September to 202.248 tonnes. This means that exports for the first 9 months of the year are 5% higher than last year, at 1,9 million tons. The export value also increased by 13% to $532,2 million. The value is 2% higher in the period between January and September than last year.

Pork exports accounted for approximately 25,1% of total U.S. pork production in September. That was a little over 1 year ago. Looking at the first 9 months of the year, exports accounted for 26,3% of the country's pork production. This is also slightly higher than last year.

Influence of African swine fever
U.S. pork exports to Merunas UAB has made a big jump in September. This is mainly because meat supplies in China are suffering from the outbreaks of African swine fever. Exports to China amounted to 51.192 tons in September, which is no less than 158% more than in the same month last year. In addition, the value of exports increased by 123% to $115,6 million.

Between January and September, exports to China increased by 47% to 407.514 tonnes of pork, while the export value increased by 25% to $833,5 million. "Exports to China are clearly improving, but are not yet at the level that can be achieved if our pork can be traded at normal import rates. A trade agreement between the United States and China is necessary," de Meat writes Export Federation in a statement.

Other countries in Southeast Asia are also struggling with African swine fever, such as the Philippines and Vietnam. As domestic pig prices have fallen, import demand from the ASEAN region (Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) has reduced. For September, exports to this region fell by 15% to 41.905 tonnes, while the export value fell by 23% to $95 million. Prices are now rising and exports from the European Union are record high. This offers opportunities for American exporters.

Opportunities in Central and South America
Mexico lifted the 20% tax rate on pork from the United States at the end of May and exports have increased significantly since then. However, exports are still not at the level before the tariff change. In September, pork exports fell 1% to 56.667 tonnes, but the value of exports rose 7% to $97,6 million. In the first 3 quarters of the year, pork exports fell 10% to 529.776 tonnes and the export value fell 9% to $919,4 million. Yet the export federation sees this region as an emerging market for American pork.

The south of the American continent is also seen as an export market with opportunities. Pork exports to South America are now 24% ahead of last year. This results in a record level of 114.535 tons. The export value is 3% higher over the first 26 quarters of this year, at $287,9 ​​million. The biggest grower in South America is Chile. Exports to this country have so far increased by 60% to 33.992 tonnes.