Despite other countries’ trade agreements with Japan, the U.S. is successfully promoting U.S. beef and pork to Asian marketers through new dishes and fresh ideas.
January exports of U.S. beef and pork were slightly below last year’s volume levels while export value posted mixed results, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership took effect Dec. 30, making Vietnam a promising but highly competitive market for U.S. beef and pork.
Strong June results capped a huge first half of 2018 for U.S. beef exports. June pork exports were lower than a year ago for the second consecutive month, but first-half volume and value are ahead of last year’s pace.
With U.S. pork facing trade barriers in some of its largest destinations, building strong demand in Central America and the Dominican Republic has been especially critical for the U.S. pork industry.
Pork export value averaged $50.58 per head slaughtered in April, down 13% from a year ago but the highest in 10 months. For January to April, export value averaged $47.25 per head, down 15% from the same period in 2018.
Pork exports totaled 211,688 mt in March, down 7% from a year ago, valued at $520.7 million (down 15%). First quarter exports were 6% below last year’s pace in volume and down 14% in value, says USMEF.
Due to export volume already exceeding 130% of the tariff rate quota (TRQ) included in the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement, higher tariff rates on U.S. pork were applied April 1 and will remain in effect through the end of this year.
