AMES, Iowa – U.S. pork exports were strong in February achieving double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value. This is according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

“This export news is encouraging as the U.S. pig farmer does a tremendous job producing a quality, consistent and sustainable product, and these results reflect that,” said Gene Noem, an Ames, Iowa, pork producer, and past president of the National Pork Board in Des Moines.

The report said February pork exports totaled 219,729 metric tons, up 11 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 10 percent to $596 million. This included a particularly strong performance for pork variety meat exports, which jumped 40 percent to nearly 48,000 metric tons, valued at $111.8 million – up 25 percent, and the eighth highest on record.

The report said through February, total pork and pork variety meat exports increased 12 percent to 456,496 metric tons, valued at $1.24 billion, up 13 percent.

“After setting a value record in 2022, the momentum for pork variety meat exports continues this year,” said Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation president and CEO. “While this is largely attributable to a rebound in exports to China, demand is also strengthening in other markets, including Mexico, and the Philippines.

“It also reflects an improved labor situation, which has helped the U.S. industry increase its capture rate, and broaden the range of destinations for pork variety meats,” he added.

Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University professor of agricultural economics, told Farm World pork exports in January and February were up in major markets such as Mexico and China, as well as in smaller markets, including Canada, and the Caribbean.

“Pork exports to Mexico in 2022 were record level, and accounted for 36.9 percent of total exports,” he added. 

He said pork exports to China jumped sharply from 2019-2021 due to the impact of African swine fever in China in those years.

“In 2020, China accounted for 28.5 percent of U.S. pork exports, making China the number one market ahead of Mexico,” he said. “In the last decade, China has averaged 11.4 percent of pork exports ranging from the 2020 high to a low of 5 percent of pork exports in 2015. In 2022, China accounted for 9.7 percent of total pork exports.”

The report said February pork exports to the Dominican Republic more than doubled year-over-year to a record 10,681 metric tons, up 106 percent, valued at $27.7 million, up 105 percent.  

Growth factors vary by country, but in the case of the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, Africa swine fever has significantly reduced domestic pork production, said the U.S. Meat Export Federation in an April 20 joint statement provided exclusively to Farm World.

“In the Dominican Republic, tourism has rebounded post-COVID-19, and pork consumption is on the rise among local residents, bolstering demand for U.S. pork,” the federation told Farm World. “The U.S. is also the only major pork supplier with duty-free access to the Dominican Republic.”

Fueled by strong growth in the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore, the report said February pork exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region totaled 4,229 metric tons, up 49 percent year-over-year, valued at $10.9 million, up 43 percent.

“The U.S. doesn’t have a tariff advantage in the Philippines, but the tariff rate for all suppliers has been reduced through the end of this year,” the federation’s joint statement said. “European pork supplies have tightened, which makes U.S. pork more competitive in the Philippines.”

Although not related to African swine flu, Mexico and Central America also have domestic production challenges – especially high input costs and productivity issues, the federation said.

“The U.S. industry has also made great strides in expanding demand for U.S. pork beyond raw material for further processing, with Mexican and Central American consumers now much better able to enjoy U.S. pork as a center-of-the-plate item at retail and foodservice,” the federation said.

The federation said, “U.S. pork exports face no African swine flu-related restrictions, but keeping the disease out of the U.S. and out of North America is a priority of the highest order because entry of African swine flu would have severe trade consequences.”

As to shipping, although logistics improved dramatically starting in late 2022, the federation said exporters report continued challenges, delays, and sustained higher costs.

“The biggest concern at the moment is the West Coast port labor negotiations, which have dragged on for nearly a year,” the federation said. “U.S. pork is heavily reliant on the West Coast, especially for chilled pork exports to Japan. The industry suffered significant losses during previous labor disruptions in late 2014, and early 2015.”