Weekly USMEF Audio Report: Seng Discusses Latest Export Results

July 14, 2009 - U.S.pork and beef export statistics have been updated for May, which was expected to be the month in which pork exports were most affected by A-H1N1 influenza. The impact was significant, but not as negative as some analysts had predicted.

Pork plus pork variety meat exports were down about 9 percent from April, and down substantially compared to May 2008. But U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Philip Seng says spring of 2008 was a historic high point for U.S. pork exports, and a repeat of those results was not anticipated even before A-H1N1 influenza hampered demand and led to significant market closures for U.S. pork.

Seng says beef exports are on pace with last year, but have been struggling amid the global economic crisis. If expanded access in key Asian markets can be achieved soon, however, this would help the U.S. beef industry rebuild its global market share.

Complete export statistics for January 2009 through May 2009 are available online.

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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.