U.S. red meat exports on the rise

U.S. red meat exports on the rise The U.S. red meat industry has reported substantial increases in exports for January-November 2006, compared to the same period last year.
   U.S. pork exports worldwide increased 9 percent in volume to about 1.5 million metric tons and 8 percent in value to $2.6 billion, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said.
   The federation noted that U.S. beef exports climbed 41 percent in volume to 597,964 metric tons and 53 percent in value to $1.86 billion.
   Mexico continues to be the top volume market for pork at 324,630 metric tons, while Japan is the highest market in terms of value at $945 million.
   The federation said Russia has become a big importer of U.S. pork with 80,594 metric tons, valued at $159.8 million, during the first nine months of 2006. During the same period, Hong Kong's U.S. pork volumes increased to 21,080 metric tons, valued at $35.5 million, and South Korea remained steady with a 47 percent increase in volume to 94,772 metric tons and a 43 percent increase in value to $199.2 million.
   For U.S. beef, Mexico is still the top export market with volume increasing 33 percent to 339,035 metric tons, valued at more than $1 billion. The Middle East continues posting strong gains due to variety meat sales, increasing 185 percent to 79,993 metric tons, valued at $104.2 million, the federation said.
   The federation added that U.S. beef exports to Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore continue to increase since the markets reopened to this commodity. In late 2003, many countries closed their borders to U.S. beef after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or 'mad cow' disease, in a Washington state cow.