December 20, 2013
US pork imports up 16% in October
In October, the US imported more than 77 million pounds of pork, an increase of almost 16% compared with a year ago, according to the USDA's "Livestock, Dairy and Poultry" report.
Most of the increase is attributable to Canada, the primary source of pork imported into the US, while imports from Canada increased almost 15% over October 2012.
Imports were also higher from other important foreign sources of imported pork: Denmark (+14 %), Poland (+50 %), and Italy (+25 %).
Mexico was the only important source of imported porkwhose shipments were lower in October, which was 6% less than a year ago. It is likely that higher imports are the result of tight red meat markets in the US.
Attractive US pork prices are likely serving as a strong magnet, pulling US imports to over-year higher levels.