Strong pork business

November pork exports totaled 223,962 t, down slightly from a year ago. But through the first 11 months of 2017, export volume remained on pace for a new record at 2.23 mill. t – up 7% year-over-year. November export value was a record-high $615.6 mill., up 5% year-over-year and just the fourth time monthly export value has topped $600 mill. Through November, pork export value increased 10% to $5.9 bn.

Exports accounted for 27.7% of total pork production in November (down slightly from November 2016) and 24.1% for muscle cuts only (up about one percentage point). For January through November, these ratios increased about one percentage point from a year ago to 26.5% of total production and 22.2% for muscle cuts.

November pork export value averaged $58.38 per head slaughtered, up 6% from a year ago and the highest in six months. Through the first 11 months of the year, per-head export value averaged $53.18, up 7%. Pork variety meat exports top $1 bn., breaking previous full-year record. Although pork variety meat exports slowed in November, the 11-month total of 498,661 t was still 6% higher year-over-year. Export value climbed 19% to $1.06 bn., setting a full-year record and exceeding $1 bn. for the first time.

Other January-November highlights for US pork exports include:

• In South Korea, where most US pork now enters the market duty-free under the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), strong November growth pushed January-November volume up 28% year-over-year to 153,569 t, valued at $420 mill. – up 30%.

• Pork exports to Mexico moderated slightly in November but remain poised for a sixth consecutive volume record in 2017. Through November, volume was up 12% from a year ago to 726,717 t, while export value increased 15% to $1.37 bn. Mexico is a critically important destination for US hams, especially with the current high level of US hog production.

• In Australia, which is also a leading market for US hams, November exports climbed 29% from a year ago in volume (6,393 t) and 23% in value to $18.4 mill. Through November, exports totaled 62,675 t (up 9%) valued at $183.8 mill. (up 14%).

• Exports to leading value market Japan posted a strong November performance, increasing 4% in volume (38,979 t) and 7% in value ($164.5 mill.) from a year ago. This pushed Japan’s 11-month totals up 1% (to 361,401t) and 4% (to $1.49 bn.), respectively. Chilled pork export volume to Japan was steady at 200,856 t, while value increased 4% to $949 mill.

• November pork exports to South America edged higher year-over-year in both volume and value, as the region continued to build on the full-year records already achieved in October. January-November exports to South America were up 64% from a year ago in both volume (96,763 t) and value ($248.9 mill.). Regional growth has been driven by record-large exports to leading market Colombia, while exports to Chile and Peru have also set full-year records.

• Exports to Central America and the Dominican Republic are also on a record pace in 2017. Led by strong growth in mainstay markets Honduras and Guatemala, January-November exports to Central America were up 5% year-over-year in volume (65,056 t) and 8% in value ($158.5 mill.). Export volume to the Dominican Republic climbed 24% to 28,836 t, while value increased 31% to $66.2 milli.

• Pork exports to China/Hong Kong trended lower in 2017, reflecting an increase in China’s domestic pork production, though muscle cut shipments regained some momentum beginning in October, ahead of Chinese New Year. Through November, exports to the region dropped 9% year-over-year in volume to 454,816 t, but value dipped just 1% to $973.9 mill. China/Hong Kong is the leading contributor to the aforementioned pork variety meat value record, as January-November variety meat exports increased 4% in volume (293,756 t) while value soared 17% to $667.6 mill. Pork variety meat export value to China/Hong Kong equated to $6 for every hog harvested from January through November.