Despite trade barriers and tough economic conditions in several key regions, U.S. pork and beef exports set new value records in 2012 – topping the previous highs set in 2011, according to end-of-year statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Pork exports reached $6.3 billion, beating the previous record by 3.5 percent. Pork export volume also set a new record of 2.26 million metric tons, slightly edging the 2011 total.
Beef exports of $5.51 billion topped the 2011 record by 2 percent, despite a 12 percent decline in volume (1.13 million metric tons).
Export value also set new records on a per-head basis, with pork exports reaching nearly $56.00 per hog processed and beef exports equating to just under $217 per head of fed slaughter – including a new monthly value record in December of $242.65.
In the attached audio report, USMEF Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications Dan Halstrom discusses the 2012 results in more detail while also providing his thoughts on the year ahead.
Complete 2012 export results for U.S. pork and beef are available online.
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