The 2006 numbers were up 9% on 2005 which also set the record. This continued growth made 2006 the 15th consecutive year of record exports.

The value of U.S. pork and pork by-product exports rose to more than $2.75 billion, a new record. Pork and pork variety meats exports totaled 1.231 million metric tons in 2006, up from 1.13 million metric tons in 2005. Sales to the United States’ No. 1 market, Japan, had a value of $1.04 billion in 2006.

According to an analysis by Glenn Grimes, University of Missouri economist, pork exports returned $10.23 per hog to producers in 2006 and have added $7.4 billion to producer returns since 1987. Net cash hog prices topped $80 during the year largely due to increased export demand.

Globally, pork remains the most widely consumed meat protein. Mexico led all markets in volume of U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports in 2006 at 356,418 million metric tons, a 7 percent increase over 2005. Other areas that showed growth in 2006 include South Korea, Russia and the Caribbean.

Meat prices in South Korea are at an all-time high as U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports to this market in 2006 increased 52 percent in volume to 109,198 million metric tons and 50 percent in value to $232.1 million compared to 2005.

“Demand for live hogs was steady throughout 2006,” Grimes said. “The U.S. export demand has risen 21.7 percent since the Checkoff’s introduction in 1985 due mostly to exports. We have gone from being an eight percent net importer in 1987 to an almost 10 percent net exporter in 2006.”