US pork exports fell during the first nine months of this year despite production running 8% ahead of 2014, according to AHDB Pork.
The US decline, although less than 1% year on year to 1.1 million tonnes, was still something of a “surprise” with the country’s exports being “hindered” by the strength of the US dollar.
Canadian pork exports, meanwhile, recorded a larger fall of 4% year on year in the first nine months of 2015, slipping to 620,000 tonnes.
“Mexico retained its position as the largest market for US pork, with exports to the country rising by 10%,” said AHDB Pork, adding that the Asian market, at the same time, became unbalanced for the US, with shipments to Japan and China from January to September being down on the previous year, by 4% and 22% respectively.
“In contrast, trade to South Korea significantly increased, rising by 40%.”
For Canadian exporters, the US remains their dominant outlet, taking nearly 19% more year on year in the first nine months of 2015. Mexico also recorded a big increase, rising by 34%. Volumes to Japan and China declined by 6% and 24%, however.
On prices, US pork export values are down 18% for the nine-month period while Canadian values are down by 15%.
