Red Meat Export Records Pt 2
I’m Bob Larson. U.S. red meat exports saw some record-breaking numbers in May in both value and volume. Beef exports value set a record at just over $904-million and pork exports exceeded $800-million for the first time at over $813-million.
U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO, Dan Halstrom says pork numbers were a little surprising …
HALSTROM … “So, on the pork side, the results for May were up 16% despite China being down. So, once again our efforts to diversify markets as an industry appears to be working well.”
Closer to home, Halstrom says …
HALSTROM … “Mexico up more than double from a year ago. We had significant increases into Japan, Columbia, Central America, broad based growth there as well.”
Other countries, Halstrom says were up as well …
HALSTROM … “And, of course, the Philippines who are also dealing with the fallout around ASF (African Swine Fever). The four times increase in the Philippines from a year ago. So, the broad-based growth, which more than offset China, is a pretty positive signal for the pork industry going forward.”
Variety meats, Halstrom says were strong in spite of challenges …
HALSTROM … “This is an area we were concerned about, especially with the labor shortages at some of the processing facilities. So, it’s really a good sign to see variety meats rebound.”
Details of January-May red meat export results can be found on the USMEF website.
