Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/16/10

U.S. total pork exports in December were up 14.3 percent from a year ago, while beef exports were up 23.1 percent and broiler exports up 5.5 percent, according to U.S. meat trade statistics.

According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, pork and beef exports showed increasing momentum in the final months of the year as economies and currencies of trading partners strengthened and consumer confidence improved.

According to the CME Group's Daily Livestock Report, total pork export in December totaled 124,056 metric tons, down 5.5 percent from November but up 14.3 percent from a year ago. Pork shipments to Japan, Mexico and Canada rose, while exports to China declined, but were offset by an increase in exports to Hong Kong.

Beef exports in December totaled 55,044 metric tons, up 23.1 percent mainly on higher exports to Asia. Exports to Mexico in December rose 1.4 percent from a year ago while shipments to Canada fell 1.1 percent. Beef exports to South Korea, however, surged by 122 percent from a year ago while exports to Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong also showed strong gains.

U.S broiler exports rose 5.5 percent from a year ago in December to 243,347 metric tons. December exports, however, do not reflect Russia's subsequent decision to ban broiler products treated with chlorine, effectively shutting down U.S. broiler exports to Russia.

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