February Pork, Beef Exports Maintain Strong Momentum
February Pork, Beef Exports Maintain Strong Momentum
Variety Meat Surge Helps February Pork Export Value Grow by Nearly 5 Percent over 2008
A 45 percent jump in pork variety meat exports in February helped overcome a slight decline in pork muscle cuts to power total pork exports to a 4.7 percent increase in value over February 2008.
Total beef exports were up slightly for the month on a year-over-year basis: 4 percent in volume and just under 1 percent in value. The trend, however, was the reverse of the pork model with beef muscle cut exports increasing nine percent while variety meat declined slightly.
“We anticipated sharp declines in pork exports to certain markets, including China, when compared to the results we saw last year,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “But markets such as Japan and Mexico continue to perform extremely well, and U.S. pork is really gaining traction in many key regions across the world. The diversity and global reach of our marketing efforts are really paying off.”
Seng also noted that the slumping currencies in both Mexico and Canada have been affecting U.S. beef exports to those two markets, but said that situation is starting to improve. “We are also seeing some impact from the declining volume of live cattle imports from those two countries, which is increasing their own domestic beef supplies,” he said.
Pork Exports
Total U.S. pork exports in February were valued at $368.2 million. Pork muscle cut exports ($305.6 million) declined by about 1 percent compared to last year, but still remained 45 percent above the February 2007 value. In terms of volume, pork plus pork variety meat exports of 158,471 metric tons (349.3 million pounds) represented an increase of 1 percent over February 2008 and 57 percent over February 2007. Through January and February, year-to-date pork plus pork variety meat exports increased 3 percent in volume over last year to 315,121 metric tons (694.7 million pounds) and 6 percent in value to $728.4 million.
Japan continues to be the top-performing value market for U.S. pork. Its February total of 37,774 metric tons (83.3 million pounds) valued at $138.6 million outpaced February 2008 by 18 percent in volume and 32 percent in value. Mexico showed even more remarkable growth as its February volume (42,458 metric tons or 93.6 million pounds) surged by 64 percent over last year and value ($65.6 million) jumped by 60 percent.
Other markets showing excellent growth included Taiwan, where pork plus pork variety meat exports doubled in value compared to February 2008 and increased by 107 percent in volume. Exports to the ASEAN region climbed by 60 percent in volume and 80 percent in value, with the Philippines and Singapore leading this region’s gains. Exports to Australia climbed by a similar percentage, increasing by 76 percent in both volume and value. Exports to the Caribbean jumped by 122 percent in volume and 114 percent in value over February of last year, led by a near-tripling of shipments to the Dominican Republic.
Global pork exports are proving to be very resilient, as these gains helped the U.S. pork industry weather steep declines in sales to Russia and China. Year-to-date pork plus pork variety meat exports to Russia have declined 49 percent in volume and 57 percent in value compared to January-February 2008. Exports to the China/Hong Kong region are down 46 percent in volume and 48 percent in value compared to 2008, with exports to China declining nearly 75 percent. These results are not particularly surprising, considering both countries’ concerted efforts to increase domestic pork production and reduce their reliance on imports.
China Building Its Domestic Pork Industry
China has been particularly aggressive in this area, according to Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia-Pacific region.
“China’s efforts to bolster its hog industry include assistance in the form of direct cash subsidies to large-scale farms, tax breaks for hog producers and development of targeted hog-raising counties throughout the country,” Haggard said. “To the extent that these subsidies are creating incentives to expand production, they can have very serious trade implications.”
Korea, Vietnam Lead Beef Exports Upward
Increased beef exports to South Korea and Vietnam helped overcome declines in the beef industry’s leading markets of Mexico and Canada. February beef plus beef variety meat exports increased 4 percent in volume (66,155 metric tons or 145.8 million pounds) and showed a slight increase in value ($220.5 million) over February 2008. Contrary to the trend in pork exports, beef muscle cut exports increased by 9 percent in volume to 40,964 metric tons (or 90.3 million pounds) and 7 percent in value to 172.9 million, while beef variety meat exports dropped slightly in volume to 25,191 metric tons (or 55.5 million pounds) and declined nearly 17 percent in value to $47.6 million. Year-to-date, beef muscle cut exports have increased 11 percent in both volume and value over the same period last year, while variety meat exports have declined 11 percent in volume and 20 percent in value.
Beef exports to Korea slumped near the end of 2008, with December results totaling 3,335 metric tons (7.4 million pounds) valued at $15.2 million. But the new year has seen a rebound in exports to Korea, with the January-February monthly average now standing at 6,550 metric tons (14.4 million pounds) with an average value of 24.9 million. This places Korea third among all destinations for U.S. beef – trailing only Mexico and Canada – in both volume and value.
Vietnam ranks fourth in volume and fifth in value for U.S. beef plus beef variety meat exports, with year-to-date exports to Vietnam doubling in volume over 2008 (to 10,972 metric tons or 24.2 million pounds) and increasing 174 percent in value to $36.2 million.
Japan continues its steady rise as a destination for U.S. beef exports, with 2009 totals through February increasing by 19 percent in volume (to 8,056 metric tons or 17.8 million pounds) and 17 percent in value (to $43.3 million).
The strong performance of these markets helped offset a slowdown in exports to Mexico, Canada and Taiwan. Though Mexico and Canada have held their position as the top two destinations for U.S. beef, year-to-date exports to Mexico have declined 22 percent in volume (to 51,238 metric tons or 113 million pounds) and 17 percent in value (to $179.1 million). Export volume to Canada declined 14 percent (to 18,116 metric tons or 39.9 million pounds) and by 22 percent in value (to $73.1 million). Beef exports to Taiwan have dropped even more sharply, declining by 29 percent in volume (to 2,750 metric tons or 6.1 million pounds) and 28 percent in value (to $13.3 million).
While consumers in some global markets are “trading down” in terms of the U.S. beef cuts they are purchasing, Seng noted that customers in Taiwan are not as well-positioned to do that because of market access limitations.
“We are still restricted in Taiwan to boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age,” he said. “If we are able expand our market access there, I feel we can reverse any further declines in that market by exporting a strong volume of short ribs and other bone-in beef cuts.”
Despite continued economic uncertainty in key markets, Seng reiterated USMEF’s commitment to recapturing U.S. beef market share and growing the reach of high-quality U.S. middle meats.
“Certainly it’s a tough marketing environment for beef right now, both globally and domestically,” he said. “But we currently have some high-end cuts to offer at very competitive prices, and USMEF is having notable success with those cuts in certain markets. We are also encouraged to see the currencies of some of our key trading partners beginning to stabilize. That will also help make U.S. beef more affordable overseas.”
Lamb Exports Increase Sharply, Led by Caribbean Demand
Led by continued strong sales in the Caribbean, January-February exports of U.S. lamb climbed 50 percent in volume (to 1,528 metric tons or 3.4 million pounds) and 72 percent in value (to $5.6 million) over the same period last year. The Caribbean region has accounted for about 69 percent of this value, led by mainstay market Bermuda and a strong surge in exports to the Netherlands Antilles. Lamb exports to Canada have also increased by 132 percent in volume and 44 percent in value over 2008, with exports to Mexico climbing by 12 percent in volume and 32 percent in value.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
February Pork, Beef Exports Maintain Strong Momentum
Variety Meat Surge Helps February Pork Export Value Grow by Nearly 5 Percent over 2008
A 45 percent jump in pork variety meat exports in February helped overcome a slight decline in pork muscle cuts to power total pork exports to a 4.7 percent increase in value over February 2008.
Total beef exports were up slightly for the month on a year-over-year basis: 4 percent in volume and just under 1 percent in value. The trend, however, was the reverse of the pork model with beef muscle cut exports increasing nine percent while variety meat declined slightly.
“We anticipated sharp declines in pork exports to certain markets, including China, when compared to the results we saw last year,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “But markets such as Japan and Mexico continue to perform extremely well, and U.S. pork is really gaining traction in many key regions across the world. The diversity and global reach of our marketing efforts are really paying off.”
Seng also noted that the slumping currencies in both Mexico and Canada have been affecting U.S. beef exports to those two markets, but said that situation is starting to improve. “We are also seeing some impact from the declining volume of live cattle imports from those two countries, which is increasing their own domestic beef supplies,” he said.
Pork Exports
Total U.S. pork exports in February were valued at $368.2 million. Pork muscle cut exports ($305.6 million) declined by about 1 percent compared to last year, but still remained 45 percent above the February 2007 value. In terms of volume, pork plus pork variety meat exports of 158,471 metric tons (349.3 million pounds) represented an increase of 1 percent over February 2008 and 57 percent over February 2007. Through January and February, year-to-date pork plus pork variety meat exports increased 3 percent in volume over last year to 315,121 metric tons (694.7 million pounds) and 6 percent in value to $728.4 million.
Japan continues to be the top-performing value market for U.S. pork. Its February total of 37,774 metric tons (83.3 million pounds) valued at $138.6 million outpaced February 2008 by 18 percent in volume and 32 percent in value. Mexico showed even more remarkable growth as its February volume (42,458 metric tons or 93.6 million pounds) surged by 64 percent over last year and value ($65.6 million) jumped by 60 percent.
Other markets showing excellent growth included Taiwan, where pork plus pork variety meat exports doubled in value compared to February 2008 and increased by 107 percent in volume. Exports to the ASEAN region climbed by 60 percent in volume and 80 percent in value, with the Philippines and Singapore leading this region’s gains. Exports to Australia climbed by a similar percentage, increasing by 76 percent in both volume and value. Exports to the Caribbean jumped by 122 percent in volume and 114 percent in value over February of last year, led by a near-tripling of shipments to the Dominican Republic.
Global pork exports are proving to be very resilient, as these gains helped the U.S. pork industry weather steep declines in sales to Russia and China. Year-to-date pork plus pork variety meat exports to Russia have declined 49 percent in volume and 57 percent in value compared to January-February 2008. Exports to the China/Hong Kong region are down 46 percent in volume and 48 percent in value compared to 2008, with exports to China declining nearly 75 percent. These results are not particularly surprising, considering both countries’ concerted efforts to increase domestic pork production and reduce their reliance on imports.
China Building Its Domestic Pork Industry
China has been particularly aggressive in this area, according to Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia-Pacific region.
“China’s efforts to bolster its hog industry include assistance in the form of direct cash subsidies to large-scale farms, tax breaks for hog producers and development of targeted hog-raising counties throughout the country,” Haggard said. “To the extent that these subsidies are creating incentives to expand production, they can have very serious trade implications.”
Korea, Vietnam Lead Beef Exports Upward
Increased beef exports to South Korea and Vietnam helped overcome declines in the beef industry’s leading markets of Mexico and Canada. February beef plus beef variety meat exports increased 4 percent in volume (66,155 metric tons or 145.8 million pounds) and showed a slight increase in value ($220.5 million) over February 2008. Contrary to the trend in pork exports, beef muscle cut exports increased by 9 percent in volume to 40,964 metric tons (or 90.3 million pounds) and 7 percent in value to 172.9 million, while beef variety meat exports dropped slightly in volume to 25,191 metric tons (or 55.5 million pounds) and declined nearly 17 percent in value to $47.6 million. Year-to-date, beef muscle cut exports have increased 11 percent in both volume and value over the same period last year, while variety meat exports have declined 11 percent in volume and 20 percent in value.
Beef exports to Korea slumped near the end of 2008, with December results totaling 3,335 metric tons (7.4 million pounds) valued at $15.2 million. But the new year has seen a rebound in exports to Korea, with the January-February monthly average now standing at 6,550 metric tons (14.4 million pounds) with an average value of 24.9 million. This places Korea third among all destinations for U.S. beef – trailing only Mexico and Canada – in both volume and value.
Vietnam ranks fourth in volume and fifth in value for U.S. beef plus beef variety meat exports, with year-to-date exports to Vietnam doubling in volume over 2008 (to 10,972 metric tons or 24.2 million pounds) and increasing 174 percent in value to $36.2 million.
Japan continues its steady rise as a destination for U.S. beef exports, with 2009 totals through February increasing by 19 percent in volume (to 8,056 metric tons or 17.8 million pounds) and 17 percent in value (to $43.3 million).
The strong performance of these markets helped offset a slowdown in exports to Mexico, Canada and Taiwan. Though Mexico and Canada have held their position as the top two destinations for U.S. beef, year-to-date exports to Mexico have declined 22 percent in volume (to 51,238 metric tons or 113 million pounds) and 17 percent in value (to $179.1 million). Export volume to Canada declined 14 percent (to 18,116 metric tons or 39.9 million pounds) and by 22 percent in value (to $73.1 million). Beef exports to Taiwan have dropped even more sharply, declining by 29 percent in volume (to 2,750 metric tons or 6.1 million pounds) and 28 percent in value (to $13.3 million).
While consumers in some global markets are “trading down” in terms of the U.S. beef cuts they are purchasing, Seng noted that customers in Taiwan are not as well-positioned to do that because of market access limitations.
“We are still restricted in Taiwan to boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age,” he said. “If we are able expand our market access there, I feel we can reverse any further declines in that market by exporting a strong volume of short ribs and other bone-in beef cuts.”
Despite continued economic uncertainty in key markets, Seng reiterated USMEF’s commitment to recapturing U.S. beef market share and growing the reach of high-quality U.S. middle meats.
“Certainly it’s a tough marketing environment for beef right now, both globally and domestically,” he said. “But we currently have some high-end cuts to offer at very competitive prices, and USMEF is having notable success with those cuts in certain markets. We are also encouraged to see the currencies of some of our key trading partners beginning to stabilize. That will also help make U.S. beef more affordable overseas.”
Lamb Exports Increase Sharply, Led by Caribbean Demand
Led by continued strong sales in the Caribbean, January-February exports of U.S. lamb climbed 50 percent in volume (to 1,528 metric tons or 3.4 million pounds) and 72 percent in value (to $5.6 million) over the same period last year. The Caribbean region has accounted for about 69 percent of this value, led by mainstay market Bermuda and a strong surge in exports to the Netherlands Antilles. Lamb exports to Canada have also increased by 132 percent in volume and 44 percent in value over 2008, with exports to Mexico climbing by 12 percent in volume and 32 percent in value.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.