Meat + Poultry - September 2008 - 22

INTERNATIONAL
Pork, beef export sales surge in ﬁrst half of 2008
indicates continued strong export
During the ﬁrst half of 2008, pork
exports enjoyed a record-setting
demand into August."
Other strong-performing markets
six months. Meanwhile, U.S. beef
exports continued to climb closer
for pork exports (including variety
to the pre-BSE highs achieved earmeats) in the ﬁrst half of 2008 included Japan, which was up 21 percent
lier in the decade, the U.S. Dept.
of Agriculture said. Surging meat
in volume over last year to 221,081
sales in overseas markets are brightmetric tons, valued at $712.3 million.
Japan remains the single-largest marening the outlook for the nation's
livestock industry, which has expeket for U.S. pork in terms of value.
rienced a tough ﬁrst six months so
Mexico was up 23 percent in volume
far this year.
over last year to 163,307 metric tons,
valued at $270.4 million.
In June, pork and pork variety
Beef and beef variety meat exmeat exports totaled 192,667 metric
ports
in June increased 35 percent
tons valued at $451 million - double
and totaled 89,054 metric tons, valthe volume exported in June of last
year. This drove year-to-date pork exued at $328 million. During the
"Twenty-four percent of pork
ports to 1,018,467 metric tons valued
ﬁrst half of the year, these exports
and pork variety meats
at $2.3 billion - 67 percent above the
totaled 445,036 metric tons, valued
at $1.58 billion - an increase of 30
ﬁrst six months of 2007 in terms of
produced
in
the
United
percent in volumes and 39 percent
volume, and 58 percent higher than
States are now destined for
in value. First-half exports reached
last year in terms of value.
71 percent of the value achieved in
Exports to China/Hong Kong, the
foreign
markets."
largest volume destination for U.S.
the ﬁ rst six months of 2003, and
pork and pork variety meats, dur87 percent of the value achieved
ing the ﬁrst half of 2008 jumped 324 percent over last year to during the same time period.
254,445 metric tons valued at $439.8 million. Exports to this reTop-performing markets for U.S. beef and beef variety
gion alone accounted for 6 percent of this year's U.S. pork pro- meats remain Mexico and Canada. Through June, exports
duction, as 24 percent of pork and pork variety meats produced to Mexico were up 18 percent in volume over last year to
in the United States are now destined for foreign markets.
199,890 metric tons valued at $678.1 million. Exports to
"A signiﬁcant rise in pork values has been led by strong Mexico set a new record in June - surpassing the July 2003
prices for export items such as trimmings, hams and picnics," volume and reaching 36,619 metric tons. January-June exsaid Erin Daley, manager of research and analysis for the U.S. ports to Canada increased 41 percent to 78,790 metric tons,
Meat Export Federation. "The rise in prices for these items valued at $365.8 million. (Photo courtesy of USMEF)

China holds potential for breakfast-food processors
Golden opportunities exist in China for
breakfast-food manufacturers, states a
new study from The NPD Group, Port
Washington, N.Y.
According to the research, which
tracked Chinese consumers' buying patterns at foodservice outlets, half
of all foodservice
trafﬁc in China
occurs before 9
a.m. Conducted
in seven of China's coastal cities and including behavioral and attitudinal data
through focus groups and consumer di22

MEAT&POULTRY

September 2008

aries, the study found that 13 percent of
trafﬁc occurs between the peak lunch
hour of noon and 1 p.m., and only 12
percent occurs between the peak dinner
hour of 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Steamed or pan-fried buns and soybean milk are the foods Chinese consumers most often purchase to eat away
from home. Other top foods include
fried rice with meat or vegetables, frieddough products, noodles, clay-oven
rolls, boiled dumplings, milk, vegetable
dishes and soup.
"The morning meal drives the foodservice industry in China, and it has an
I

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effect on all aspects of the foodservice
market," said Bob O'Brien, president of
Global Foodservice Development at The
NPD Group. "The top food and drink
items are driven by what Chinese consumers buy for their morning meal and
what can easily be produced and distributed by foodservice operators."
NPD found that half of all foodservice visits in China went to vendors;
20 percent of purchases occur at fastfood outlets and 16 percent at restaurants. Ten percent occur at retail outlets and just 3 percent at bakeries or
coffee shops.

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Meat + Poultry - September 2008

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