Mexico imported 3% less pork from the United States in 2020

Over the past year, Mexico reduced pork imports from the United States by 3% in both value and volume to a total of 688,253 tons purchased for a total of $1.15 billion, figures from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) indicated.

In its report, the meat trade body highlighted that December marked the third consecutive monthly period with an upward trend, as shipments to Mexico enjoyed an 8% increase over the same month in 2019, totaling 71,426 tons. Otherwise, in general terms, Mexico imported during the whole of last year 2.5% less pork to close a total of 861,913 tons, this includes the following fractions:

Chilled pork carcasses

Legs, shoulders, and cuts thereof, bone-in, refrigerated

Other refrigerated pork pieces

Frozen pork carcasses

Frozen hams, shoulders, and cuts thereof, with bone-in, frozen

Other frozen pork cuts

Throughout 2020, the United States achieved an 11% increase in exports in both volume and value, for total shipments, amounting to 3 million tons, which generated an economic flow of approximately US$7.7 billion. During the last month of last year, the results were not so positive, as tonnage was negative, falling 8% over the same month of 2019, remaining at 259,654 tons, the turnover was 10% lower, with 687.2 million dollars.

Dan Halstrom president of USMEF clarified that the good performance of shipments was mainly due to the increase in Chinese demand, which in 2020 absorbed 1.04 million tons, 56% more than the previous year, the value increased 63%, up to 2.3 billion dollars. There were other destinations where exports also showed positive behavior, such as Japan, where the presence of U.S. pork increased 5% with 386,700 tons valued at 1.6 billion dollars, 6% more than in 2019.

In the case of Central America, imports from the U.S. experienced a 1% increase in volume and value, with 2020 being the sixth consecutive year marking a record in the region, standing at 99,222 tons purchased for 241.1 million dollars.