Inside Pigs
US pork exports pick up record pace
America is exporting significantly more pork over the whole of 2020 than last year, while exports already achieved good results last year. In view of the corona crisis, this is a striking development. China is and remains a major buyer of American pork, but other countries are also becoming increasingly important.
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American pork exports amounted to 222.475 tons in September, 10% higher than last year, according to figures from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The export value increased by 6% to an amount of $563,2 million.
For the first three quarters of this year, U.S. pork exports amounted to approximately 3 million tons, worth $2,22 billion. Both the export volume and the value achieved a growth of 5,69% compared to last year.
Chinese interest
China's interest in American pork pushed export figures up sharply. In total, 23% more pork was exported to China in September than last year and the export value grew by 14%. Over the first 3 quarters, total exports are no less than 96% higher than last year.
Of the total amount of pork exported, 28% went to China in September. From January to August this level was higher, at 37%. Dan Halstrom, CEO of USMEF, says he is pleased that exports to China are maintaining a strong pace, but he emphasizes that it is vital that not everything relies on one export destination.
Important sales destinations
Other countries have also acquired a greater interest in the sale of American pork. Exports to Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan were higher in the first 3 quarters of the year than last year. Now that Vietnam and the Philippines are struggling with African swine fever (ASF), the demand for pork is also increasing there to meet domestic needs. Exports to Vietnam have more than tripled this year and the value has quadrupled to $44,7 million.
Pork exports to Mexico have not achieved growth on an annual basis. Exports to Chile have also stagnated compared to last year.
| Jan-Sep 2020 | Percentage change from 2019 | |
| Merunas UAB | 800.747 | 96% |
| Mexico | 490.893 | -7% |
| Japan | 284.108 | 2% |
| Philippines | 33.032 | + 8 % |
| Chili | 32.474 | -4% |
| Vietnam | 20.723 | + 203 % |
| Taiwan | 15.937 | + 12 % |
Corona crisis
The total growth in exports over the first 3 quarters is mainly due to the results over the first and third quarters. The record pace did not continue in the second quarter, mainly due to the corona crisis. The slaughter capacity stagnated sharply and the logistics processes were also seriously disrupted. Exports increased sharply again in the third quarter and the record pace continued. However, it is still uncertain whether this can be continued in the last quarter because the coronavirus is showing an upturn again.