USDA reports that pork exports increased to 260,000 metric tons in November approximately 26% over the corresponding month in 2018. The value of $713 million was 32 percent higher than November 2018.
Growth in both export volume and value was driven by demand from China, up almost three-fold from November 2018 to 86,000 metric tons valued at $205 million. The increase in exports to China offset a decline in shipments to Mexico, down 6 percent in both volume and value. This is attributed to competition from Canada. Exports to Japan were 3 percent lower in volume and 7 percent lower in value to 33,000 metric tons and $1.4 billion respectively. The situation with respect to Japan will improve after January 1st as tariff rates on U.S. pork match the EU and Canada.