USMEF says January 2010 beef, pork exports up from January 2009

U.S. Meat Export Federation reports beef and pork exports during January 2010 were up on the year.

USMEF says beef exports were up 9% in volume and 6% in value from January 2009, but were down 6% in volume and 5% in value from December and volume was 3% below the monthly average for 2009. Mexico and Canada were the two biggest customers of U.S. beef, purchasing 44% of the total volume shipped.

Pork exports were up 8% for both volume and value with sales to Mexico stronger now than before last year’s H1N1 problems. Pork sales to Japan were down 34% in volume and 27% in value on an increase in domestic production.

During 2009, USMEF says around 22% of pork and pork variety meats and 10% of beef and beef variety meats produced were exported. For pork, USMEF states export value works out to $37.37 per head, and for beef, it comes to $119 per head.