The U.S. exported 523.8 million lbs. of pork in March, a 15.6% increase from last year and a new monthly record, taking out November 2016 as the previous record high. The authors of the Daily Livestock Report note that the percentage of pork exports relative to national production was likely the largest ever as well. They also point at that the value of pork exported increased by more than volume shipped, signaling “excellent” demand for U.S. pork.
U.S. beef exports totaled 234.0 million lbs., up 25.2% from last year and the largest total since June 2014. “We think this is evidence that it was a combination of both domestic and export demand which pushed beef packers to ramp up slaughter during the first quarter,” The Daily Livestock Report explains.
