Last week the USDA released data on Pork Exports for 2019 compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation showing Pork Exports set a volume and value record for 2019. For the year 5.89 billion pounds of U.S. Pork and pork variety meats with a value of $6.952 billion were export to countries all around the world. That was a 10 percent increase from 2018. That accounted for almost 27 percent of U.S. pork production in 2019.

While much of the export attention was focused on China because of African Swine Fever, the Trade War and now the Phase 1 Trade Deal with China, the largest importers of U.S. pork in 2019 were Japan and Mexico. Pork exports to China were higher in 2019 over 2018 and many trade specialists think pork exports will increase again in 2020.

When the U.S. exports about 27 percent of all pork produced there is no question it increase pork prices paid to pork producers. That also represents a lot of bushes of corn and soybeans that were fed to all those pigs which increases the price paid to corn and soybean growers too.

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