Strong export sales, particularly in Latin America, are contributing about $67 in value per every hog slaughtered and accounting for more than 30% of all U.S. pork production. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said there was optimism among producers and industry leaders at World Pork Expo in Des Moines last week.
Pork Expo also gave an opportunity to highlight current export restrictions placed on some offal products following the finding of pseudorabies virus in pigs in Texas and Iowa, most notably by Mexico. Borror said those restrictions on items like skins, fat, and feet are impacting an estimated $6-7 million in trade each week.
USMEF is working with USDA as it urges the Mexican government to narrow these restrictions to just the impacted states and to normalize trade as soon as possible. For more information, visit usmef.org.
