U.S. Pork saw another great month in exports, according to the latest data for the month of October from the USDA. Kelli Wicks, manager of international market development for the National Pork Board, said that Mexico continues to be a showcase and was highlighted in the data from USMEF.

“Monster year that’s continued for Mexico and it’s just really exciting to continue to see that market still grow. And so, just the diversification and differentiation that’s going on in that market with our partner, US Meat Export Federation, is fabulous. And you can see that in the numbers.” 

October pork exports totaled 245,345 metric tons, which is up three percent year over year.

“When we look at a volume increase compared to last year, value increase were up six percent and nine percent in volume, so just having that increase is really great to see especially when it’s a tough time domestically for pork producers, so to know that our export markets are strong is really great to be able to communicate.” 

Wicks said producers need to look at the production that is going to exports as a big win.

“That is 28.2 percent for the January through October. That’s a really strong and it’s up from your prior months that we’ve seen and so it’s really bringing back that value. And $60.21 per head going back to that Hobbit slaughtered coming from those export markets.” 

These “wins” in exports is an example of why the Pork Checkoff invests in the USMEF as a strategic partner, bringing more value through diversification, differentiation and defending the product. That investment includes South America with increased shipments to Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, South Korea and Australia. Find the full USMEF press release and other year-to-date information at porkcheckoff.org.