Inside Pigs
US pork exports break records
American red meat exports ended the first quarter of 2021 at a peak. Both beef and pork exports rose in March and export values even reached a new monthly record. This is according to figures from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
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In total, a record weight of pork was exported in March at 294.724 tonnes. Compared to the same period last year, this is an increase of 1%. The value increased by 4% to $794,9 million, also setting a new record. Japan, Mexico, Central America and the Philippines were the main importers.
Beef exports amounted to 124.808 tonnes in March, up 8% year-on-year. The volume thus reaches the second highest level in known history. The export value increased by 14% to $801,9 million, also setting a record.
Quarterly pork figures
Both the export volume and export value of pork in the first quarter were 7% below last year's level. This amounts to an export volume of 782.620 tons and an export value of $2,07 billion
Even though exports fell by 20% in the first quarter, China remains the most important market for American pork. A total of 3 tons of pork went to the US in the first 236.498 months of the year. The value fell 27% to $532,3 million.
There was a strong increase in demand for American pork from the Philippines. In the first quarter, imports tripled compared to 2019. 25.377 tonnes were imported, an increase of 190% year on year. The export value increased by as much as 201% to $62,4 million.
Situation improves
Dan Halstrom, CEO of USMEF, finds the export figures gratifying. “Exports got off to a respectable start in 2021 given the logistical and labor challenges facing the industry and continued restrictions on the foodservice sector in many key markets. While these obstacles are not completely behind us, the March results show that the situation is improving and that export totals better reflect strong global demand for US red meat.”