Pork and Beef Export Numbers Released by USMEF
April exports not down as much as expected.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jun 12, 2009
The U.S. Meat Export Federation reports that despite the prolonged slowdown in global economic activity and the initial wave of Type A-H1N1 Influenza-related market reactions, exports of U.S. pork and beef held up reasonably well in the month of April. The federation's president and CEO Philip Seng says in spite of the turmoil in the latter part of the month, April pork exports were not down as much as had been predicted.
Pork plus pork variety meat exports declined by 10% in volume compared to April 2008. The drop in value was limited to about 4%. Meanwhile, April beef plus beef variety meat exports declined 1.4% in volume and by 6% in value compared to last year. Seng says the trade environment for beef was not directly impacted by A-H1N1 Influenza as much as it was for pork.
Mexico continues to be the pacesetter for U.S. pork exports in 2009, with April exports climbing 61% in volume and 50% in value compared to last year. U.S. pork exports to Japan continue to lead the pack with volume for the first four months of the year increasing 9% and value up 24%.
Beef exports to Mexico and Canada, the top two markets for U.S. beef in 2008, continue to struggle. Exchange rates are far less favorable than last year and the down economy, especially in Mexico, has steered consumers toward lower-priced proteins. Beef exports to Mexico are down more than 20% in volume and value compared to the first four months of last year. In Canada, U.S. beef exports have declined about 10% in volume and 16% in value compared to 2008.
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