September marks growth in pork exports

Nov 07, 2024
By Farms.com

Global demand boosts U.S. pork exports in September
September proved to be a significant month for U.S. pork exports, showing strong year-over-year growth in both volume and value. USDA data, compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), revealed that U.S. pork exports reached 238,047 metric tons (mt) in September, an 8% increase from the previous year. The export value climbed 6% to $685.1 million, driven by demand across multiple international markets.

According to USMEF President and CEO, “U.S. pork’s September performance was especially encouraging because growth was mainly driven by small and medium-sized markets in Central America, Southeast Asia and Oceania, and pork exports to Colombia continue to reach new heights.”

This growth reflects a strategic commitment to market diversification by U.S. pork producers, broadening their global footprint.

Key markets for U.S. pork include Mexico, Japan, and South Korea, each showing substantial growth in demand. The ASEAN region also demonstrated strong interest in U.S. pork, with countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania helping drive exports.

Notably, Central American nations and Colombia reported some of the highest increases in U.S. pork imports, signaling potential for continued growth in these regions.

Overall, the September export data indicates that U.S. pork exports are on track to set new records in 2024 for both volume and value. As demand expands in diverse markets worldwide, the U.S. pork industry is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, showcasing resilience and adaptability in meeting the growing international appetite for quality U.S. pork products.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.