The latest US livestock and meat trade data recorded a seasonal dip in US pork exports to start the new year. US pork exports in the month of January totalled 555.7 million pounds, down 5.6m pounds from a month earlier however were up 45.5m pounds over January 2022.
Destinations for US pork which recorded decreased amounts from previously reported were generally 1-5 million pounds lower on the month. Notably however, Panama recorded a 16.0m pound drop for January coming down from their steep seasonal December buying. US pork to mainland China was down 5.5 million pounds for January, bringing China* overall 5.8m pounds under the tally for December however 15.2m pounds over last year. The Dominican Republic fell 4.0m pounds on the month but is 4.4m over year-ago levels, while Australia declined 2.5m for January brining US pork exports to Australia 450 thousand under January 2022. Other destinations with more modest moves lower included Honduras, South Korea and Chile and Colombia.
Reported increases of US pork exports to places such as Mexico and Japan helped to offset declines to other countries. US pork to Mexico was up 12.8m pounds from December and is 10.2m pounds over last year, while Japan rose 11.3m pounds from the month previous and is 7.8m pounds higher on the year. Exports to Canada were also higher, up 2.9m pounds for January and 8.1m pounds over last year.
Total US pork imports in January fell 1.0m pounds or -1.0% from the month previous, bringing the latest imports 13.9m pounds or -12.8% under the strong levels recorded in 2022. Pork imports from Mexico dropped 1.1m pounds or -13.2% on the month, bringing them 2.0m pounds or -21.0% under last year, while those from Canada slipped 260 thousand pounds or -0.4% on the month and brings them 1.2m pounds or +1.8% over last year. Notably, the US imported 20.6m pounds more pork from Canada than it exported to the country in the month of January.
