While beef and pork exports are understandably lower than last year with the global economic crisis affecting everyone and fears among many that they can contract H1N1 from pork products—for the record you cannot contract H1N1 from eating pork products.Still though, the overall examination of the numbers and a comparison with years past show that all is not lost for these major livestock industries. For instance, pork exports from January to July totaled 2.38 billion pounds with a value of $2.53 billion. These numbers are below last year’s totals by 10 percent and 9 percent, but, as Drovers online reports, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has these numbers as being 53 percent higher in terms of volume and 38 percent higher in value than over the same time period in 2007.
Meanwhile, the “most recent statistics show beef exports of 1.13 billion pounds valued at $1.944 billion, 6 percent below last year’s volume and 10 percent lower in value.” USMEF reports that these reductions are due to the global economic slowdown, and an overall bad market for beef “variety meat.” At 745.6 million pounds, beef muscle cut exports are up in volume, and only 2 percent behind in value.
The biggest factor in slowing beef exports have been the decline in exports to Canada and Mexico. Exports to Mexico from January to July this year is 31 percent below last year’s value. Exports to Canada are behind in value from last year by 18 percent. It is worth noting that Canada’s domestic slaughter is also behind last year’s number. As USMEF Chairman-elect Jim Peterson stated, “We need to see better demand for U.S. beef in these markets, and hopefully the recent strengthening of the peso and especially the Canadian dollar will drive some improvement in the coming months.”
Meanwhile, in Asia U.S. beef is fighting to rebuild its market share. Exports to Japan from January to July increased by 18 percent, and Hong Kong took in five times as much beef in terms of volume and four times the value from July in 2008. All together, 2009 exports were, “111 percent above last year’s volume and 60 percent above last year’s value.”
To read the Drovers article click here.
For more information on meat exports click here.
Posted: 09/15/09
