Large domestic hog production and low market prices will propel a larger share of U.S. pork onto the world market in 2019, according to USDA economists. In the monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, they estimate more than 23 percent of pork production will be exported, up from 22.7 percent this year.
While pork has the greatest integration into world markets, it’s not the leader in export volume. Some 7.1 billion pounds of broiler chickens will be exported in 2019, compared to 6.45 billion pounds of pork, according to USDA. That’s a reflection of U.S. meat production. Chickens, turkeys and other poultry account for one-half of the meat supply. Most of U.S. poultry meat is consumed at home and less than 16 percent is exported.
About 18 percent of U.S. beef will be exported next year, roughly the same as this year.
The USDA says exports, as a share of meat production, will be relatively stable in 2019 although production is climbing for the major classes of food animals.