U.S. Pork Exports Down, Imports Up

By CnAgri2012-10-15 19:26:00 Print

Pork exports in the United State during August were down 3.1 per cent while imports were up 1.1 per cent compared to 12 months earlier, according to Ron Plain and Scott Brown of the University of Missouri.

Exports equaled 21 per cent of August pork production and imports equaled 3.45 percent of production. During the first eight months of 2012, 23.6 percent of U.S. pork production was exported while imports equaled 3.5 percent of production. The biggest growth market for pork exports this year is China. Thus far, they have purchased 203 million pounds more U.S. pork. Mexico, Russia, and Canada have each increased their purchases of U.S. pork by more 50 million pounds. Through August pork exports were up 9.0 percent and pork imports were up 1.8 percent.

Feeder pig imports from Canada during August were up 5.8 per cent compared to a year ago. Imports of other hogs were down 10.2 percent. Through August, 3.844 million hogs and pigs were imported. That is one percent more than during the first eight months of last year. January-August US hog exports totaled 33,185 head.

USDA's October WASDE report raised the estimate of corn acres harvested, but cut yield per acre leaving corn production little changed from the month before. However, a tight carryover caused the price to jump on Thursday; but most of the gain was given back on Friday.

The latest forecast has 2012 pork production up 2.4 percent from last year and 2013 pork production down 1.3 percent from this year.

Hog slaughter this week totaled 2.396 million head, up 1.7 percent from the week before and up 3.4 percent compared to the same week last year. The average barrow and gilt live weight in Iowa-Minnesota last week was 271.3 pounds, up 2.1 pounds from a week earlier, but down 1.4 pounds from a year ago. Three out of the last four weeks have been below year-ago.