POULTY, BEEF, PORK EXPORTS OFF TO GREAT START IN 2018, UNDERSCORE NAFTA IMPORTANCE

Lindsay Mitchell

Mar 14, 2018  |  Today's News |  Livestock |  Exports |  Legislation & Regulation

January 2018 poultry, egg, and beef export volume increased over January 2017, with pork export volume holding steady with last year’s strong volume.  2018 is off to a great start in the export market.

 

Poultry exports rose by 0.4 percent to 297,429 metric tons from January 2017.  Total egg exports (table eggs plus egg products in shell egg equivalent) for January increased by 26.9 percent to 20.8 million dozen.  Beef exports totaled 105,486 metric tons, up 9 percent.

 

While pork exports remained steady at 203,488 metric tons, the export value of the products increased 7 percent to $545.6 million.  Pork exports accounted for 24.7 percent of total pork production, down from 26.2 percent a year ago.

 

The value of other protein exports increased as well.

 

U.S. poultry meat exports increased in value by 11 percent to $338.9 million and egg export value rose by 38.2 percent to $21.5 million.

 

Beef export value surged 21 percent to $624.4 million with beef exports accounting for 12.4 percent of total beef production in January, up slightly from January 2017.

 

Among the top five international customers for each category are Mexico and Canada, with which we participate in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  In fact, Mexico is one of the top two importers of pork, beef, and poultry. 

 

2018 looks promising for U.S. farmers as the value of their products increases based on these vital international markets.  As NAFTA is renegotiated, let us not forget the markets we have to lose.