The latest US livestock and meat trade data reflected stable US pork exports in the month of September. Total US pork exports at 513.0 million pounds were up a modest 544 thousand pounds from a month earlier and 2.8 million pounds over last year. Current US pork exports are down -13.4% year-to-date, largely attributed to the strong export rates recorded in the front-half of 2021.
US pork to Japan rose 12.5m pounds in September, bringing current exports 5.6m pounds over last year, while pork to Canada jumped 11.3m pounds on the month but is 5.2m pounds under year ago levels. Other destinations recorded more moderate improvements such as Australia & the Dominican Republic which were each up more than 2 million pounds from August, and Colombia which climbed 1.1 million pounds.
US pork to Mexico and China* recorded the largest declines from the month previous with the Philippines, South Korea and Honduras also reporting notable 3-5 million pound reductions. Mexico dropped 10.5m pounds from August and while current export levels are 4.3m pounds under year ago levels, US pork to Mexico continues at strong levels historically. Mainland China decreased their imports of US pork by 8.7m pounds in the latest data, bringing total exports to China* (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) 8.9m pounds under last reported however 3.1m pounds over last year.
Total US pork imports for September fell 9.7m pounds or -8.7% under the month previous, bringing the latest imports 7.8m pounds or -7.1% under last year's record strong levels. Imports from Canada declined 4.0m pounds or -5.6% for September, down 3.4m pounds or -4.9% under last year. Notably, the US imported 14.9m pounds more pork from Canada than it exported to the country for the month of September.
