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US exports record pork
The United States exported significantly more pork last year. Both the volume and value of exports have risen, a move in which China in particular had a strong finger in the pie. Beef exports, on the other hand, were below the level of the previous year in 2019.
This is according to the data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For the whole of 2019, pork exports reached $6,95 billion. This is an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. In terms of volume, 2,67 million tons of pork crossed the border, an increase of 10% compared to 2018.
1,32 million tons of beef were exported last year. The amount of meat exported has decreased by 2,5% compared to 2018. The export value of the beef was $8,1 billion.
Greater demand from China
The increase in pig exports from the US is largely due to increased demand from China. Pig exports to China increased 2019% in 89 to 665.665 million tons valued at $1,45 billion. Other areas that have imported more American pork are Mexico, South America and Canada.
USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom said in a statement: "Despite export restrictions on China, pork exports to this region closed with tremendous momentum in 2019." In the last month of 2019, pork exports increased by 34%. Pork exports this month amounted to 282.145 tons. This has surpassed the previous record set in November 2019.
Japan buys less beef
Beef exports decreased in December 2019 compared to the previous year. Exports amounted to 111.315 tons, 1% less than in the same month a year earlier.
The decline in beef exports from the US is partly due to lower imports from Japan. Japan imported 2019% less meat from the US in 6 than in 2018. By contrast, beef exports to South Korea have increased. There is 7% more meat imported.
Less meat has been imported from Mexico, but the value of the meat has increased by 5%. However, this has not been enough to prevent a decline in total exports compared to 2018.
Chanti Oussoren
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