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US pork exports in the first half of the year fell 19% in volume and 18% in value compared to the same period in 2021, according to recently released data from the US Department of Agriculture. From January to June, the U.S. pork industry shipped to foreign destinations nearly 1.1 million metric tons (MT) of products valued at US$3 billion.
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According to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), a significant portion of the decline in U.S. exports was attributable to China's pork industry recovering from African swine fever and COVID-related issues. U.S. pork exports to China from 2022 through June were just 88,718 tons valued at US$224 million compared to 303,396 tons valued at US$698 million in the same six-month period in 2021. Exports to Japan, the second market for the US pork industry, also fell from the record year of 2021, with the country receiving more pork from the European Union, with which it has a free trade agreement.
Other major markets, however, have increased US pork imports, with Mexico, the number one export market, taking in 24% more in volume and 15% more in value in the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period last year.
NPPC continues to work with the Biden administration to expand existing markets and open new markets for U.S. pork, recently gaining better access to the Philippines and Vietnam.
Source: agrolink
