Source: MEATINGPLACE, 6/8/18

Mexico was the pacesetter for pork exports in April, with volume up 34 percent from a year ago to 79,019 metric tons, according to data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Export value to Mexico was $134.1 million, up 28 percent. Through the first four months of 2018, exports to Mexico were 7 percent above last year’s record volume pace at 282,675 metric tons, with value up 6 percent to $505.4 million.
Maintaining this pace will be challenging, however, USMEF said, with Mexico announcing retaliatory tariffs on imports of most U.S. pork products effective June 5. The tariff rate on chilled and frozen pork muscle cuts is 10 percent until July 5, when it is set to increase to 20 percent.

“The outstanding April performance for pork exports to Mexico really underscores the importance of this market to the U.S. industry and how it has been such a reliable trading partner for hams, picnics and other pork cuts,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom in a news release. “Make no mistake about it, the U.S. industry is going to have to fend off competitors who suddenly have a significant tariff rate advantage and see a clear opening into the Mexican market.”

USMEF said pork exports to South Korea continued to build momentum in April, with volume up 74 percent to 25,370 metric tons and value up 81 percent to $74.1 million. Through April, exports to Korea are on a record pace, climbing 44 percent in volume to 94,888 metric tons, valued at $276.1 million (up 55 percent). Strong growth in consumer demand and duty-free access under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) have fueled a rapidly expanding presence for U.S. pork in Korea, USMEF said.

Total April pork export volume was 230,049 metric tons, up 13 percent from a year ago and topping the previous high set in November 2016. April export value was $584.1 million, also up 13 percent. For January through April, pork export volume was 4 percent ahead of last year’s record pace at 866,346 metric tons, while value increased 9 percent to $2.29 billion.

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