Strong demand from China bolstered U.S. pork exports in October, while October beef exports were below the high totals posted a year ago.
Department of Agriculture data, compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, shows October pork exports increased 8.5 percent year-over-year to 225,300 metric tons, while export value climbed ten percent to $592 million.
January-October export volume was five percent ahead of last year’s pace at 2.13 million metric tons, while value increased three percent to $5.48 billion.
Although still burdened by China’s retaliatory duties, October pork exports to the China region reached 61,000 metric tons, up 150 percent year-over-year, while export value climbed 127 percent to $141.3 million.
USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom says China’s efforts to rebuild its domestic swine inventory continue, but added, “there are still excellent opportunities for pork-supplying countries.”
Meanwhile, October beef exports totaled 108,000 metric tons, an eight percent decline from last year’s large volume, while export value of $649.1 million was down 11 percent.
