Pork export values are up 41 percent from last year, resting at $4.93 billion for the year. Likewise, U.S. beef export value for October was $452 million. Pork export volume is the second-highest ever, led by China, Japan and Canada. The recently approved free trade agreement with South Korea is expected to boost meat exports in 2012.
While Texas beef production likely will be lower than average in 2012 after a disastrous drought; increasing demand from Mexico, this year's leading volume destination for U.S. beef, will work to keep Texas beef moving across the border.
