December export volume was up 3 per cent from 2014. For the year, US pork and pork variety meat exports totaled 4.7 billion pounds in volume and $5.58 billion in value, down 2 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively from 2014.

“Without a doubt, 2015 was a difficult year for US pork exports,” said Becca Nepple, vice president of international marketing for the Pork Checkoff.

“The West Coast port slowdown, market-access challenges, the strong US dollar and strong competition led to last year’s decrease in exports.”

However, pork exports accounted for 24 per cent of total 2015 pork and pork variety meat production. Export value per head averaged $48.31, down 23 per cent from 2014.

“With projections for increased pork production this year, the Checkoff is committed to strengthening its partnership with our international customers,” Nepple said.

“The National Pork Board has allocated funding toward focused in-country promotions of US pork with the US Meat Export Federation during 2016.”

During 2015, more than 100 countries around the world imported US pork.

The top five markets in total pounds of pork exported were Mexico (1.585 billion pounds), Japan (895.5 million pounds), Canada (747.5 million pounds), China and Hong Kong (443.1 million pounds) and Korea (369.3 million pounds).

The top five markets in total value exported were Japan ($1.586 billion), Mexico ($1.267 billion), China and Hong Kong ($778.8 million), Canada ($700.4 million) and Korea ($470.3 million).