Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 10/13/09

U.S. pork and beef exports struggled in August compared with the same month last year, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said, citing recent USDA data.

Pork and pork variety meat exports in August were down 22 percent in volume and 28 percent in value. For January-August, exports reached 1.212 million metric tons valued at $2.85 billion, down 12 percent in volume and 11 percent in value. Although lower than the record-setting pace of 2008, pork exports in August 2009 were 35 percent higher than in August 2007 — the previous high for pork exports — and exports through the first eight months of 2009 were 51 percent higher than in the same period of 2007.

August beef and beef variety meat exports declined 31 percent in volume and 37 percent in value. Through the first eight months of the year, exports reached 586,525 metric tons valued at $2.02 billion, a drop of 10 percent in volume and 14 percent in value. Yet beef muscle cut exports as a percent of production held steady at 7 percent in the January-August period as compared to 2008.

Pork

USMEF said strong demand for U.S. pork in Japan and Mexico was offset by limited market access in China and Russia, where U.S. pork exports have declined by 70 percent and 40 percent, respectively, in the January-August period. Nonetheless, increases in pork exports through the first eight months of 2009 to Australia, the Caribbean, Taiwan and the Philippines were bright spots.

"USMEF has really intensified pork marketing activities in Japan and Mexico, and those efforts are paying major dividends. It is especially gratifying to see pork demand in Mexico rebound from the H1N1 situation," said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. "USMEF continues to work with the U.S. government in support of its efforts to resolve market access issues with China and Russia, and we will continue to maximize our pork marketing opportunities wherever they are available."

Beef

A lull in demand for variety meat hampered U.S. beef exports, USMEF said. Also, the top two destinations for U.S. beef, Mexico and Canada, are performing well below last year's level.

"Though U.S. beef is performing well in Asia and in other selected regions, it's tough to overcome the declines in these neighboring markets," Seng said. "Though we are battling some difficult economic conditions in Mexico and Canada, USMEF has had success growing demand for U.S. beef in these markets, and we will continue to build on the partnerships and opportunities we have established."

Beef exports to Japan increased 22 percent in volume and 21 percent in value over August 2008. Meanwhile, the Middle East is showing an increased appetite for U.S. beef muscle cuts.

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