U.S. pork exports posted broad based gains in October, solidifying 2020’s record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
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Beef muscle cut exports were also higher than a year ago in October, though lower variety meat volumes pushed total beef exports slightly below last year.
October pork exports were up 8% year over year to 242,536 metric tons (mt), with value also increasing 8% to $641.1 million.
Through the first 10 months of the year, exports were 15% ahead of last year’s record pace at 2.46 million mt, with value up 16% to $6.33 billion.
October muscle cut exports posted double digits gains at 201,723 mt (up 11%), with value up 10% to $551.8 million.
This pushed January October totals for pork muscle cuts to 2.07 million mt (up 20%) valued at $5.49 billion (up 18%).
Pork export value averaged $46.87 per head slaughtered in October, down 3% from a year ago, but the January October average was still 12% higher at $57.33.
Exports accounted for 26% of total pork production in October and 23.2% for muscle cuts only, up from 24% and 20.9%, respectively, a year ago.
Through October, exports accounted for 29.2% of total production and 26.5% for muscle cuts, each up significantly from the 2019 ratios of 26% and 22.6%.
October beef exports were slightly lower than a year ago at 107,591 mt (down 0.4%), valued at $646 million (down 0.5%).
For January through October, exports trailed last year’s pace by 7% in volume (1.02 million mt) and 8% in value ($6.2 billion).
Beef muscle cut exports trended higher than a year ago in October, increasing 5% to 85,445 mt valued at $573.8 million (up 1%).
January October muscle cut exports were 5% below last year in volume (791,694 mt) and 8% lower in value ($5.48 billion).
Beef export value averaged $283.94 per head of fed slaughter in October, steady with last year.
The January October average was $293.99, down 5% from a year ago.
Exports accounted for 12.7% of October beef production, down slightly from a year ago.
But for muscle cuts only, the percentage increased from 10.5% a year ago to 10.8%.
January October exports accounted for 13.2% of total beef production and 11% for muscle cuts, each down about one half percentage point from a year ago. ■