U.S. pork exports set new monthly records in October, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), reaching 218,132 metric tons (mt) valued at $607 million. Export volume was 9% above last year and broke the previous monthly record of 217,080 mt set in November 2011. Export value exceeded $600 million for the first time, breaking the previous high ($597.85 million, also from November 2011) by 1.5%.  One metric ton (mt) equals 2,204.622 lb.

For January through October, U.S. pork exports were 3% ahead of last year’s record pace in volume (1.875 million mt) and 6% higher in value ($5.24 billion).

Beef exports also posted solid results in October, with export value ($496 million) increasing 10% over last year despite a 4% decline in volume (101,447 mt). This was consistent with this year’s January-October pattern, which has seen an 11% decline in volume (951,886 mt) compared to 2011 while export value ($4.6 billion) remained 2% ahead of last year’s record pace.

“With pork production at a very high level, the U.S. industry is relying on a strong performance from the international markets,” says USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “We not only achieved that, but also maintained an excellent per-head return for producers.”

Seng added that in the beef complex, volume continues to struggle compared to last year but export value is very strong.

“Considering the economic headwinds we face in several markets, beef export value is holding up extremely well – especially on a per-head basis,” he says. “For livestock producers who are facing some very tough obstacles, the export markets are truly a source of optimism.”

Pork Exports Stand Out
October pork exports accounted for 23% of muscle cut production and 27.4% when including variety meat. For January-October, these ratios were 23.6% and 27%, respectively. This was slightly higher than last year for muscle cuts (22.9%) and steady with last year’s percentage of total production exported. On a per-head-of-slaughter basis, October exports equated to $55.95 (compared to $57.93 in October 2011). For January through October, the per-head average increased 3.5% from a year ago to $56.14.

Several major pork export markets posted their best performances of the year in October, while others recorded their highest totals in several months. These included:

Strong October totals were also recorded in Canada, Oceania, Central and South America and the ASEAN region. Export volume to China/Hong Kong was down 36% from last year’s record total, but posted the best performance since April 2012. Through October, exports to this region were still up 10% in value at $716.89 million, but volume was 3% behind last year at 352,125 mt.

“Pork exports to China/Hong Kong are not expected to match last year’s fourth quarter surge,” Seng says. “But that makes the global results in October all the more impressive, illustrating the diversity of our export destinations.”

Complete export results for pork, beef and lamb are available online.