US Pork Exports on Record-Breaking Course

If the trend established in the first six months of the year continues, US pork exports could exceed the $5 billion-mark for the first time ever.

According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), June pork exports were slightly higher in volume (165,786 metric tons) than last year and six per cent higher in value ($451.2 million). This pushed first-half pork exports to 1.08 million metric tons valued at $2.81 billion – year-over-year increases of 14 per cent in volume and 19 per cent in value. Compared to the previous record year of 2008, the pace of this year's pork exports is six per cent ahead in volume and 21 per cent higher in value. For the first half of this year, pork exports accounted for more than 27 per cent of total production, with export value equal to $52.76 per head.

Also in the US, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed a rule to establish general regulations for improving the traceability of US livestock moving interstate when animal disease events take place.

Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, said that he has listened carefully to stakeholders throughout the country about how to reach effective animal disease traceability in a transparent manner without additional burden.

Under the proposed rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved between states would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates.

The National Pork Producers Council says it has been a strong advocate for animal traceability for several years.

Turning to notifiable diseases, a state of emergency has been declared in the southern region of Krasnodar in Russia following the deaths of commercial pigs on two farms from African swine fever (ASF).

And finally, during the routine active foot and mouth disease serological surveillance in Taiwan, NSP antibodies were detected on two pig farms. All pigs on the farms appeared clinically healthy.