Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 1/29/14

U.S. companies exported 453 million pounds of pork to foreign destinations in November 2013, almost 3 percent below a year ago, according to USDA’s Livestock, Dairy and Poultry report.

Lower exports are largely attributable to generalized weakness in important Asian markets. November exports to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines were all lower on a year-over-year basis.

While China/Hong Kong was the third largest foreign market in November, shipments to China (42 million pounds) were almost 11 percent below a year ago. Larger shipments to Hong Kong (15 million pounds) helped to boost China/Hong Kong into the third position, ahead of the recent occupant of the position, Canada.

Shipments to Canada fell by more than 9 percent from a year ago.

Mexico was the largest foreign market in November 2013. In fact, Mexico’s November purchases of U.S. pork represented the highest volume ever shipped to Mexico.

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