US pork exports set record pace through June 2021

US red meat exports closed the first half of the year on a strong note, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Although volume and value eased from the enormous totals posted in April and May, export value was still the highest on record for the month of June and first-half shipments established a record pace for both beef and pork exports.

The fact that first-half (year) exports reached record levels speaks to the loyalty of our international customer base, strong consumer demand for high-quality, nutritious US red meat and the US industry’s ability to adapt to a challenging and rapidly changing business climate.

DAN HALSTROM, USMEF PRESIDENT AND CEO

“USMEF had expected a continued strong performance in June for both beef and pork exports, despite significant headwinds,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “2021 has presented many formidable challenges for the U.S. industry, including a very tight labor situation, logistical obstacles that slowed product movement and foodservice restrictions in many key markets. So the fact that first-half exports reached record levels speaks to the loyalty of our international customer base, strong consumer demand for high-quality, nutritious U.S. red meat and the U.S. industry’s ability to adapt to a challenging and rapidly changing business climate. We have also seen a welcome rebound in beef and pork variety meat volumes, which had been down last year.”

Pork exports reached 238,935 metric tonnes (mt) in June, up 15% from a year ago, while export value climbed 35% to $696.8 million. First-half pork exports topped last year’s record pace by 1% at 1.58 million mt, valued at $4.33 billion (up 7%).

Surging demand in Mexico, Central America fuels first-half pork exports

Pork export value equated to $65.44 per head slaughtered in June, up 42% from a year ago. Per-head value averaged $67.04 in the first half, up 5%. June exports accounted for 29.4% of total pork production and 25.5% of muscle cuts, both up significantly from a year ago. In the first half, exports accounted for 31.4% of total pork production (steady with last year) and 28.1% for muscle cuts (down one-half percentage point from a year ago).

After reclaiming its position as the leading destination for US pork muscle cuts in the second half of last year, Mexico emerged as the top market for total exports in June at 70,582 mt, up 45% from a year ago, while export value more than doubled to $149.4 million (up 112%). First-half exports to Mexico climbed 22% from a year ago to 396,329 mt, valued at $789.5 million (up 45%). In 2017, the record year for pork exports to Mexico, first-half volume was slightly ahead of this year’s pace at 398,565 mt, but export value is 8% higher in 2021.

Led by a near-doubling of exports to El Salvador and strong growth in mainstay markets Honduras and Guatemala, first-half pork exports to Central America topped last year’s record pace by 50% at 67,795 mt, with value up 57% to $176.6 million. Exports were also sharply higher to Costa Rica and posted year-over-year increases in Panama and Nicaragua.

Tags: export, pork, US, US Meat Export Federation