WASHINGTON: United States pork exports hit a record in 2016, with volume at 2.31 million metric tons and a value of $6 billion. It was due in part to record U.S. pork exports to Mexico which set a new volume record for the fifth consecutive year. Nebraska Pork Producers Association President Russ Vering says with record pork production in the U.S. and flat domestic demand, that makes export markets like Mexico more important than ever.
Vering says U.S. exports are strong because the U.S. has the safest and most economic pork product available for global customers. He’s hoping President Trump follows through on his policy of pushing for fair trade and accountability from U.S. trading partners. Exports accounted for nearly 26-percent of total U.S. pork production in 2016.