National & World Ag News Headlines September Pork Exports Regain Momentum, Beef Exports Struggling USAgNet - 11/17/2009 September pork plus pork variety meat exports reached nearly 154,000 metric tons (339.5 million pounds) valued at $347.8 million, the highest volume since April 2009, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. September beef plus beef variety meat exports were down slightly from August, with the January-September cumulative total falling further behind last year’s pace, as beef exports continue to struggle amid market access restrictions and difficult global economic conditions. Pork exports still trail 2008, but close third quarter with positive momentum While January-September pork exports contain significant bright spots - including a continued strong performance in Mexico and Japan as well as renewed strength in Canada, Russia and the Greater China region - they trail last year's record pace by 11 percent in volume (1.366 million metric tons or 3.01 billion pounds) and 12 percent in value ($3.195 billion). Mexico's September volume surpassed September 2008 by nearly 37 percent, putting Mexico's January-September export volume at 369,376 metric tons (814.3 million pounds) valued at $547.7 million - an increase of 38 percent and 15 percent, respectively, over the first three quarters of 2008. "It has been a remarkable year for U.S. pork in Mexico, especially when you consider the disruption we experienced in April and May due to H1N1 influenza," said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. "USMEF worked successfully during this time to maintain our market access in Mexico, and then focused on rebuilding consumer confidence and demand. It is very gratifying to see these efforts paying off and to see the market respond so well to our product." The value of U.S. pork exports to Japan increased by 3 percent to $1.17 billion and, with a strong fourth-quarter performance, pork exports to Japan could surpass last year's record value of $1.55 billion. Pork export volume to Japan (319,297 metric tons or 703.9 million pounds) is only slightly behind its 2008 pace. "U.S. pork continues to break new ground in Japan, despite the fact that Japan's domestic pork production has increased nearly 6 percent this year," Seng said. September pork exports to Canada set a new monthly volume record (17,669 metric tons or 38.9 million pounds) – jumping 37 percent from August and surpassing last September’s total by 11 percent. Cumulative pork exports to Canada trail their 2008 pace by 2 percent in volume and 9 percent in value. September pork exports to Russia more than doubled their August volume and value, and reached the second-highest total (to July) of the year at 17,637 metric tons (38.9 million pounds) valued at $34.9 million. Exports to the China/Hong Kong region achieved their highest volume (20,569 metric tons or 45.3 million pounds) since April, despite the continued suspension of U.S. pork exports into mainland China. Exports to Taiwan set a monthly record in September (5,790 metric tons or 12.8 million pounds valued at $9.28 million), due in part to the impact of the recent typhoon on domestic production. Other markets showing gains over 2008 include Australia (up 25 percent in volume and 23 percent in value), the Philippines (up 17 percent and 14 percent), the Caribbean (up 33 percent and 26 percent) and Central and South America (up 14 percent and 18 percent). U.S. pork exports to all of these markets are expected to set new records this year. Send this article to a friend Other National Headlines Nation's Corn Planting in Full Gear Last Week April Milk Production Slightly Higher Than Year-Ago ADM Execs: Company to Soon Have $1 Billion in Savings China Rallies Poultry Industry After Bird Flu Concerns Syngenta Opens New Advanced Crop Lab Wisconsin Raw Milk Trial Begins in Sauk County Coalition to Introduce Sugar Amendment to Senate Farm Bill Copyright © 2013 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.