First Quarter Exports for U.S. Pork Set Records

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. meat exports continued to ride a wave of demand through the first quarter of 2020, as pork completed the first three months hitting record highs in value and volume. Beef exports were also higher, establishing a record first-quarter pace according to the latest information from USDA. Concerns from coronavirus and plant closures though, are not a factor in the figures as most of the challenges developed late in March and will be visible in the second quarter reports. It does appear, however, that the Phase One trade deal is paying dividends as the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) says strong demand from China and Hong Kong continued to drive pork to new heights. On a per head basis, exports are adding more than $64 per head to the value of hogs in the United States, with a strong interest in U.S. pork initiating in Japan, Canada, and Mexico