Industry Leaders Gather in Denver for National Pork Forum

Pork industry leaders from across the United States are meeting in Denver at the National Pork Industry Forum to discuss key issues affecting pork production and demand. With more than one-fourth of U.S. pork and pork variety meat production being consumed in foreign markets, and with the industry coming off a record year for U.S. pork exports, international trade is a critical area of focus.

“The success U.S. pork has achieved in the export markets is really an amazing story,” said National Pork Board Vice President Conley Nelson, a pork producer from Algona, Iowa, who serves on the Pork Checkoff Trade Committee. “It’s helping producers so much because we’re really able to get value out of the whole pig.”

“If it weren’t for exports, I would probably be out of business,” added Henry Moore, a producer from Clinton, N.C., who also serves on the National Pork Board and the trade committee. “Considering the big chunk of our production that is being exported, the money we spend developing those markets is very small. I believe we still have a lot of opportunities in Japan, a huge opportunity in China and the new free trade agreement with South Korea is going to be great for us. Looking at the amount of pork that will be needed to meet demand over the next 10 to 12 years, a lot of pork is going to have to come from somewhere – and we are the best at producing pork.”

But even as U.S. pork exports reach record levels, both Moore and Nelson recognize the challenges that lie ahead. They emphasized an ongoing need to educate consumers, both at home and overseas, about pork production practices and the need for regulations that are based on sound science.

On Wednesday, USMEF Chairman Danita Rodibaugh, Secretary-Treasurer Leann Saunders and Executive Committee members Wayne Peugh, Sam Carney and Ted McKinney joined senior staff in hosting an evening reception for pork industry leaders at USMEF’s Denver headquarters. National Pork Industry Forum meetings began Thursday and continue through Saturday.

On Friday morning, USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng addressed forum attendees, providing an overview of the promotional programs that helped pork exports reach record heights in 2011. Seng also reflected on relief and recovery efforts in Japan following the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, explaining the important role the U.S. pork industry played in providing assistance to displaced families.

“These efforts not only provided critical aid for families in need, but also helped generate goodwill with Japanese consumers and build further partnerships within Japan’s food trade, which are important for growing pork exports to this market,” Seng explained.

Seng also discussed export growth to Mexico, which last year became the only international market other than Japan to purchase more than $1 billion in U.S. pork in a single year. He said China also offers enormous potential for U.S. pork, especially as it develops a more modern and sophisticated retail sector. In 2012, Seng expects U.S. pork exports to reach about 4.85 billion pounds and exceed $6 billion in value. Export value per head slaughtered should be about $54, slightly below the record $55.55 achieved in 2011.