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USMEF: Pork exports continue to gain momentum

Pork

November exports of U.S. pork were the largest of 2022 in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Posted on Jan 10 ,04:54

Pork exports reached 245,663 metric tons (mt) in November, up 3% from a year ago, while export value climbed 10% to $725.1 million. In both volume and value, exports were the highest since May 2021. For January through November, pork exports were 10% below the previous year at 2.43 million mt, valued at just under $7 billion (down 7%).

Pork exports to Mexico set another value record in November, topping $200 million for the second consecutive month, and volume was record-large at 87,809 mt. Overall results were also bolstered by excellent growth in variety meat exports, which were up more than 25% year-over-year at just over 50,000 mt, valued at $116.9 million – up 21% and the fourth highest on record, driven by growth to China and Mexico.

"I cannot say enough about the tremendous performance of the Mexican market and its importance to the U.S. pork industry," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "U.S. pork faces heightened competition in Mexico, especially with the recent suspension of import duties. But U.S. industry efforts to educate the trade and consumers about the outstanding quality, consistency and value of U.S. pork continue to pay dividends and elevate overall demand. The rebound in pork variety meat exports is also excellent news for the U.S. industry, reflecting broad-based demand growth and an improved labor situation."

Record-shattering performance for pork exports to Mexico, Dominican Republic

November pork exports to leading market Mexico increased slightly from a year ago in volume to a record 87,809 mt, while export value soared 38% to a record $210.1 million. For January through November, exports to Mexico totaled 869,526 mt, up 9% from a year ago and just short of the full-year record achieved in 2021. Export value reached $1.84 billion, up 20% year-over-year and already setting an annual record. U.S. pork’s remarkable performance in Mexico comes despite increased competition, with import duties from all eligible pork suppliers suspended since May. Mexico also recently opened for the first time to Brazilian pork, provided that it originates from approved plants in the state of Santa Catarina and goes directly into further processing.

Pork exports to the Dominican Republic had already set annual records through October, and demand further intensified in November. Shipments reached a record 10,229 mt in November, up 70% from a year ago and up notably from the previous high of 8,966 mt in April. November export value nearly doubled year-over-year to a record $30.1 million (up 97%). January-November exports to the DR totaled 76,085 mt, up 42% from a year ago, while value increased 48% to $204.8 million. Similar to Mexico, the DR temporarily suspended import duties on red meat and poultry in June, heightening competition in the market. But the decree suspending these duties recently expired, meaning the U.S. is once again the only major pork supplier with duty-free access. Imports from other major suppliers are subject to the DR’s most-favored-nation rate of 25%. Canadian pork exports to the DR fell back to zero in November after gaining some momentum when duties were suspended.

Following a slow start in 2022, pork exports to China/Hong Kong regained considerable momentum in the second half of the year. This trend continued in November, with exports climbing 39% from a year ago to 54,410 mt, valued at $140.3 million (up 40%). While driven in large part by strengthening demand for variety meat, pork muscle cut exports to the region also increased 37% to 20,699 mt, valued at $59.8 million (up 64%). For January through November, pork and pork variety meat exports to China/Hong Kong were 31% below the previous year’s pace at 486,213 mt, valued at $1.25 billion (down 24%).

Other January-November results for U.S. pork exports include:

• Pork variety meat exports, which averaged nearly $10 per head slaughtered in 2021, posted another strong performance in November at 50,002 mt, up 26% from a year ago, while export value increased 21% to $116.9 million. Growth was driven primarily by China/Hong Kong (33,711 mt, up 41% from a year ago), but shipments also increased to Mexico, the ASEAN region and Colombia. For January through November, global exports of U.S. pork variety meat totaled 476,234 mt, down 2% from a year ago, but export value was slightly ahead of the record pace of 2021 at $1.15 billion. Exports to China were just below the previous year’s record pace at 302,442 mt, and could reach an annual record.
• November exports to South Korea increased 6% year-over-year to 14,633 mt, while value increased slightly to $49.2 million. This pushed January-November totals to 160,139 mt, up 5% from a year ago, while value increased 11% to $560.1 million. Korea also broadened access for pork suppliers last year by opening a 70,000 mt, duty-free quota for imported pork, and recently announced a 10,000 mt duty-free quota for the first half of 2023. Imports from the U.S., the European Union and Chile already enter Korea at zero duty, but the duty-free quotas helped drive growth from Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
• November pork exports to the Philippines reached 3,205 mt, up 62% from the low volume posted a year ago, while value climbed 128% to $10.7 million. January-November exports were still well below 2021, but November was the fourth consecutive month in which exports to the Philippines trended higher year-over-year. Exporters serving the Philippines also received positive news this week, as President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. extended an order reducing tariff rates on imported pork cuts through the end of 2023. Since mid-2021, imports have been subject to duties of 15% in-quota and 25% out-of-quota. Without the extension, rates would have returned to 30% and 40%, respectively.
• While Japan remains the second largest value market (behind Mexico) for U.S. pork exports, shipments trended lower in 2022 as U.S. ground seasoned pork and frozen pork faced cheaper offerings from European suppliers and chilled pork was challenged by persistent shipping issues. Through November, exports to Japan were down 9% year-over-year to 331,657 mt, with value declining 11% to $1.37 billion.
• November pork export value equated to $66.43 per head slaughtered, up 12% from a year ago and the second highest of 2022. The January-November average was $60.77 per head, down 4%. Exports accounted for 29% of total November pork production, up from 27.4% a year ago, while the ratio for muscle cuts was 24.9% (up from 24.6%). The January-November ratios were 27.2% and 23.6%, down from 29.4% and 25.9%, respectively, in the first 11 months of 2021.

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