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June pork exports totaled 207,181 metric tons (mt), down 3% from a year ago, while export value fell 9% to $516.3 million. Despite the June decline, first-half pork exports were still 24% ahead of last year’s record pace in volume (1.55 million mt) and 29% higher in value ($4.05 billion).
For the first half of the year, exports accounted for 31.5% of total pork production. Export value per head slaughtered averaged $46.19 in June, down 19% from a year ago and down sharply from the high levels achieved in April and May. The January-June average was $63.61 per head, up 27% from a year ago.
June pork exports to China/Hong Kong totaled 77,883 mt, up 55% from a year ago but the lowest since October. First-half exports to China/Hong Kong were 170% above last year’s pace at 604,156 mt, with value up 232% to $1.42 billion.
June pork exports to Mexico remained below last year (down 19%). First-half exports to Mexico were 6% below last year’s pace at 324,481 mt, with value down 5% to $543 million.
June exports to Japan, traditionally the leading value market for U.S. pork, were down 25% from a year ago to 23,910 mt, valued at $109.6 million (down 17%). But through June, exports to Japan remained 1% above a year ago in volume (193,822 mt) and 5% higher in value ($813.6 million). Even as U.S. slaughter levels rebound, limited labor availability has restricted production of value-added and boneless cuts, as well as some variety meats. This is especially challenging for serving markets such as Japan, which demands value-added cuts like single-ribbed bellies.
Exports to Canada were steady with last year’s pace at 105,811 mt, while value increased 2% to $388.1 million.
In Vietnam, where pork production has also been heavily impacted by ASF, exports climbed 148% from a year ago in volume (8,232 mt) and 164% in value ($18 million).
June exports to the Philippines were the highest since October, bringing the first-half total to 19,319 mt (down 12%) valued at $42.5 million (down 6%).
Exports to Central America increased 2% from last year’s record pace to 45,296 mt, while value was up 5% to $112.3 million. Solid growth was achieved in mainstay market Honduras, with exports also increasing to El Salvador and trending significantly higher to Nicaragua.
August 6, 2020/ USMEF/ United States.
https://www.usmef.org/
