Pork exports set a record

The U.S. Meat Export Federation said pork export sales in May set another monthly record -- while beef exports reached their highest levels since December 2003.

“The shortage in the global meat supply, combined with record pork production in the United States and the continued weak dollar are putting U.S. beef and pork in a very advantageous position in many export markets,” said Erin Daley, manager of research and analysis for USMEF, in this news release.

The new monthly record for pork (including variety meat exports) was set at 196,118 metric tons or 432.4 million pounds (valued at nearly $452 million) in May. Export volume was up 95 percent compared to May 2007 and 12 percent more than the April 2008 record. This put January-May pork (including variety meat) exports at 825,800 metric tons (1.8 billion pounds) valued at $1.86 billion, up 60 percent and 51 percent respectively from the same period last year.

Beef exports (including variety meat) in May of 83,761 metric tons (184.6 million pounds) were the largest since December 2003, and reached 78 percent of the May 2003 export volume and 97 percent of its value at nearly $309 million. The January-May volume of 355,982 metric tons (784.8 million pounds) is 29 percent higher and the value ($1.25 billion) is 39 percent higher than the same period last year.