The value of pork exports from January to July was substantially higher in several key markets. The value of pork exports to Mexico gained 12 percent ($625 million); China/Hong Kong rose sharply by 55 percent ($508 million); Canada climbed 19 percent ($473.5 million); and Russia rose 38 percent ($168.4 million).
Pork exports to South Korea declined slightly in value by roughly one-fourth ($262.6 million), USMEF said.
The value of beef exports to key markets posted increases despite declines in volumes, according to USMEF. The value of beef exports to Canada gained 7 percent ($639.3 million); the Middle East climbed 8 percent ($201.5 million); Japan advanced 19 percent ($600.2 million); and the ASEAN region grew 14 percent ($160 million). Exports also recorded increases in value in Russia (38 percent to $184.7 million); Central and South America (79 percent to $76.1 million); and Hong Kong (22 percent to $161.7 million).
Mexico slipped to third (behind Canada and Japan) for value of beef exports at $518.3 million, according to USMEF. A weak peso presented a challenge to US beef exports to Mexico, while a weak economy and large domestic supplies hurt exports to South Korea. Beef exports to South Korea declined in volume (76,559 metric tons) and value (down 18 percent to $353.6 million) through July.
Beef exports to Taiwan were hard-hit by regulatory restrictions, USMEF said. Export volumes to Taiwan declined 65 percent, while export value retreated 58 percent to $43.4 million. USMEF expects the business climate in Taiwan to improve after the establishment of a maximum residue level for ractopamine.
