LARRABEE, Iowa — The U.S. pork industry enjoyed another record-setting year for exports in 2007, its 16th consecutive growth year, according U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) statistics in a report released last month.

“Exports are a key component to strengthening the future of the U.S. pork industry,” said Tim Bierman, a pork producer from Larrabee, Iowa, and a member of the Pork Checkoff Trade Committee. “Producers should be proud that one of every four pounds of pork traded today originates from the U.S.”

Funded by the USDA, the USMEF is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry, exporting companies and the beef, pork, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

According to USMEF, U.S. pork exports increased 3 percent in volume against 2006, surpassing 1.3 million metric tons – nearly 2.9 billion pounds – with the value of those exports hitting 10 percent higher than 2006, which had exceeded $3.15 billion. Also, U.S. pork muscle-cut exports also increased 3 percent in volume and 10 percent in value, while pork variety meat exports increased 5 percent in volume and 14 percent in value.

“We’re very excited that U.S. exports of pork continue to increase in record amounts,” said John Vossberg, Iowa Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA) president-elect and a Janesville pork producer. “Pork exports are increasingly important to our bottom line and they are key to ensuring a strong future for the Iowa and U.S. pork industries. Right now, with high feed costs and low hog prices, exports are ‘saving our bacon.’”

According to the USMEF report, Japan remains the top destination for U.S. pork, accounting for 36 percent of the value of all U.S. pork exports. In 2007, Japan imported 358,582 metric tons of pork – a 6 percent increase on 2006 – valued at $1.152 billion, an 11 percent jump.

“Our top international customers such as Japan, Mexico and China (and) Hong Kong recognize the quality, value and safety of U.S. pork, and we’re pleased to be a major supplier of their protein,” Vossberg said.

Greh Hanes, USMEF Japan director, said the reason for U.S. success in Asia is because American pork is perceived as the highest quality product available there. “Pork checkoff-funded educational events and promotions help traders and consumers in Japan see firsthand the commitment and dedication the U.S. industry has for the Japanese market,” Hanes said.

Representing Iowa, which still remains the nation’s leading pork producer, Vossberg and other IPPA officials recently returned from an Iowa meat mission to Asia, where the state’s pork customers there had expressed concern about the high cost of U.S. corn and whether the nation could continue to provide adequate supplies of pork.

Vossberg added that possible trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea are still awaiting Congres-sional consideration.

“We need these because, combined, they would be worth nearly $12 for each hog marketed,” he said.

Moreover, China/Hong Kong was the largest growth market for U.S. pork exports, jumping 91 percent to 169,160 metric tons, valued at almost $271 million. The USMEF said exports to China/Hong Kong surpassed exports to Canada in volume of 148,576 metric tons, but Canada remains the No. 3 market in value of pork exports, at $491.58 million, which is a 12 percent increase on 2006.

Despite a 22 percent decline in imports in 2007, Mexico remains the No. 2 destination for U.S. pork, with exports totaling 276,388 metric tons last year. Among other key export markets for U.S. pork, South Korea dipped 9 percent to 99,852 metric tons, but value was essentially unchanged at $231 million; Australia and New Zealand increased 22 percent to 37,452 metric tons, valued at nearly $99.9 million, a 33 percent increase on 2006.

According to the USMEF, Central and South America increased 22 percent to 33,119 metric tons, valued at $70.9 million, with the largest markets in Honduras, which had a 17 percent increase to 11,484 metric tons; Guatemala, which had a 21 percent increase to 6,092 metric tons; and Colombia, which had 21 percent increase to 5,183 metric tons. The USMEF said U.S. pork exports would continue to benefit from free trade agreements with Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia.

“By working together, the pork checkoff and USMEF are accomplishing goals that we couldn’t do on our own,” Bierman said.
According to 10-year projections released last month by the USDA, the United States is expected to lead the global pork export market in the coming decade, with its share of global exports increasing from an estimated 28 percent last year to 32 percent in 2017.

In addition, despite a forecast for reduction in U.S. pork production in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the USDA said it expects pork exports to continue to grow steadily, most likely fueled by strong global demand and the weak American dollar.