Pork exports shine - Beef aims for recovery

Aug 14, 2023

The US pork industry celebrates an excellent start to 2023. As per USMEF data, June pork exports rose by 12%, equating to 245,964 metric tons (mt). This surge brought the six-month total to a robust 1.47 million mt, with a value of $4.05 billion.

Mexico showed an exciting 21% growth in first-half value, setting a record. There were also notable increases in exports to regions like Australia, Taiwan, and the Dominican Republic. An outstanding 32% jump was seen in pork variety meat exports to China.

Dan Halstrom, USMEF's head, praised the widespread international growth, highlighting strides in the Asia-Pacific and Western Hemisphere.

The beef sector faced some hurdles. June exports came to 115,107 mt, showing a 12% dip from last year. The value, however, marked at $909.5 million, held potential. The first half's performance was 10% below the previous year but 8% above 2021.

Countries like Taiwan, Mexico, and Canada provided hopeful statistics. Some markets, such as South Korea, China, and Japan, did experience a drop, but potential remains.

Halstrom emphasized the steady contribution of beef exports to total production, underlining their significance in overall value. In contrast, lamb exports saw a downturn, especially in the second quarter. June figures displayed a 56% decrease in volume and a 45% drop in value.

Video: New Solution Powers Efficient Pork Growth

Alltech has introduced Olerix, an innovative phytogenic blend created to promote growth and feed efficiency in pigs. Through a proprietary coating process, the bioactive blend of phytogenic compounds used in Olerix is designed to outlast the manufacturing process, ensuring consistent outcomes from feed to finish. The result is a high-impact efficiency solution that provides consistent support for gut health, feed efficiency, immune function and growth performance. Olerix is backed by validated trials conducted under modern pork production conditions.

“As the industry searches for technology to drive profitability forward in a more sustainable manner, we’re thrilled to join that effort with our Olerix technology,” said Mark Hulsebus, general manager for U.S. pork at Alltech. “Our work in this phytogenic space is yielding very encouraging results, and we’re excited to make this new opportunity available to pork producers focused on optimizing feed efficiency and growth rates.”

“Olerix represents the next generation of phytogenic technology — combining feed efficiency, livability and immune support into a practical commercial solution producers can implement today,” said Andy Rash, U.S. monogastric director at Alltech.