Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 10/17/11

U.S. pork and beef exports are on pace to set new value records in 2011 and to eclipse the $5 billion mark for the first time ever, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said late last week after compiling USDA data for August.

U.S. pork exports reached their highest monthly volume of the year at 186,068 metric tons, and the second-highest value total of all time at $531.2 million. Increased exports to Japan, South Korea and China helped give a boost.

Meanwhile, beef exports set an all-time monthly value record at $514.2 million on a strong volume of 116,405 metric tons. Mexico set the pace, while the Middle East continues to grow rapidly and Asian markets remain lucrative destinations.

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