Pork Exports Remain Below Year-Ago Levels Despite Growth in Multiple Markets

Year-to-Date (YTD) through May data:

May pork export value equated to $65.27 per head slaughtered, down 23% from a year ago but the highest monthly average since July 2021.

U.S. pork exports are still below year-ago levels, primarily due to a continued decrease in exports to China and Hong Kong. However, exports to Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean continue to grow.

Pork exports to Mexico continued to shine in May, as the largest destination for U.S. pork builds further on last year’s record performance.

U.S. pork exports to the Dominican Republic set a new record in April (60.8 million pounds) and nearly matched that total in May, increasing 126% from a year ago to 79.6 million pounds.

Exports to the Caribbean, particularly the Bahamas and the Leeward-Windward Islands, increased 38% in value ($113 million). Exports also trended higher to Honduras, the top market in Central America, as well as to Nicaragua.

YTD Value and Volume in Key Markets:

Click here for a comprehensive overview of key U.S. pork markets.

^{Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and USMEF.}

June 29 Webinar Recap: USDA Data, Climate & Weather Driving Markets

Our June webinar covered domestic weather patterns and predictions, global events in crop and livestock markets and the most recent USDA Hogs and Pigs Report.

We heard from Andrew Thut (IBM), Erin Borror (U.S. Meat Export Federation) and Altin Kalo (Steiner Consulting Group) on factors impacting U.S. producers’ profitability. Major themes include:

• Summer forecasts and drought monitoring
• Global events and global trends in crop production
• Market implications and export prices
• Inventory of the market and breeding herds

Click for a recap and the full recording.

U.S. Producers Can Respond to Germany’s Recent ASF Outbreaks

Two more cases of African swine fever (ASF) are confirmed in commercial operations in Germany. Affected operations are in the eastern state of Brandenburg and the western state of Lower Saxony, which is a major region of swine production.

Germany’s export market was already distressed as imports have been banned from several countries following the first confirmed case in the feral hog population in September 2020.

If a foreign animal disease such as ASF enters the U.S., it would likely eliminate the entire export market for an unknown period.

Nearly 30% of the U.S. supply is exported, generating $8.1 billion in value for the industry in 2021.¹

Here are 3 things U.S. pork producers can do to protect their farms and the domestic pork industry from the threat of ASF:

1. 1. Annually, register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to receive indemnity payments from USDA APHIS.

1. 1. Create an AgView account so animal health officials can accurately see animal movement records if a foreign animal disease is confirmed.

1. Recognize the steps for onsite preparedness, including biosecurity, training and welfare and disposal planning.

^{1. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service}