Meat Exports Look Stronger
Rebound from slump continues for beef, pork and lamb.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jan 19, 2010
The U.S. Meat Export Federation reports that U.S. beef and pork exports have continued their rebound from the slump, with pork exports reaching their highest level of 2009 in November while beef exports edged 4% above year-ago levels. In addition, lamb exports maintained their pace for an outstanding year.
For the month, total pork exports reached 169,547 metric tons – essentially even with the volume for November during the record-shattering pace of 2008. This marked the first time monthly pork exports have reached or exceeded 2008 levels since March of 2009. Meanwhile, November's total beef exports reached 76,693 metric tons, with muscle cuts enjoying a 23% hike over year-ago levels while variety meat slipped 27%.
While the news is good, total beef and pork exports remain behind 2008 levels. For the first 11 months of 2009, the U.S. has exported 819,778 metric tons of beef valued at more than $2.8 billion and 1.7 million metric tons of pork valued at nearly $4 billion. Beef is down 10% in volume and 16% in value compared to 2008 while pork is down 10% in volume and 13% in value.
Lamb and lamb variety meat exports maintained a fast pace with a 41% jump in volume over November of 2008 accompanied by a 14.7% boost in value. For the first 11 months of the year, total lamb exports are up 50% in volume and 13% in value.
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