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Bright spots for pork export markets

Despite tariffs and trade disputes pork exports held on for another strong year in 2018 and are in a position to do well again this year.  

US pork production continues to grow.  Dan Halstrom, CEO of the US Meat Export Federation says the good news for the pork industry is so have exports.

Looking ahead to 2019, he says there are some great opportunities with current trading partners – like Mexico.  “Even though it’s not sexy on the numbers, considering the conditions – I think it’s been a success,” he says.  

But, he tells Brownfield the parts of the world with the most promise are Central and South America.  “Colombia in particular is up 39 percent on the volume,” he says.  “Peru is up 37 percent.  And then you have several Central American countries that are growing at a very quick pace.”

Halstrom says these increases in demands couldn’t come at a better time.  “A lot of the product mix in Colombia is hams,” he says.  “And of course with that duty in Mexico – it’s nice to have another reliable customer on hams.”

AUDIO: Dan Halstrom, US Meat Export Federation