US pork exports

Until relations begin to heal with Russia, after the war in Georgia and the political heat that was caused, the US pork and poultry industry must cultivate old and trusted existing markets.

Japan is still the largest buyer of US pork, taking 41,961 tons in the month of October.

Mexico took 39,836 tons for the same period.

Russia took 31,744 tons in October, however there will be drastic drop when the figures for November are published.

Total exports of American pork to Russia for 2008 are going to exceed 200,000 tons.

Russia also imported 677,226 tons of beef mainly from South America, for the first 9 months of 2008, this figure dropped off after the economic slowdown, and problems were experienced in raising credits for payments in October and November.

China and Hong Kong also imported 27,361 tons of US pork for October of 2008, and have received 357,962 tons for the first 10 months of 2008.

Taiwan imported 1,817 tons of US pork in October and 23,071 tons for the first 10 months of the year.

The problem with the current US pork export markets are that all the mentioned clients, have plans in place to become self sufficient in poultry and pork production, they are succeeding at an astonishing rate.