November export numbers from the USDA show pork was once again immensely positive for global demand for U.S. both in the volume and value. Courtney Knupp, vice president of international marketing for the National Pork Board, said after a slower start to 2022, they are thrilled with the numbers just released and emphasized value per head.
?Look at a per head contribution of exports,? Knupp said. ?It’s $66.43 per pig from November export data, which is up 12 percent year on year, and it represents 29 percent of our pork production in the United States. So, we’re just really thrilled about that strong momentum.?
Knupp said the investment pork producers make is adding value to the carcass and NPB focuses on the increase in value over time.
?We continue to focus on how we can get the most value for those products that we sell overseas,? Knupp said. ?We’re always partnering with our domestic marketing initiatives at the pork board because our goal is to create value and diversification and that’s whether we can sell in the United States or outside the United States every single day, every part of the pig.?
Knupp said the Checkoff investment and the member sectors get matched by the USDA market access program.
?Every dollar that we put in, it’s close to $1 match,? Knupp said. ?And so, that was a huge benefit and partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our trade association and utilizing USMEF to execute and promote our pork through those projects throughout the year.?
Pork exports reached 245,663 metric tons in November, up three percent from a year ago, while export value climbed ten percent to $725.1 million. In both volume and value, exports were the highest since May 2021. Visit porkcheckoff.org for more insights on export data.
