Trade disruptions of individual meats can impact other proteins in various international markets, domestic meat supplies, consumption and prices in U.S. markets.

March 16, 2017

3 Min Read
Trade disruptions for one protein can alter global meat marketplace
Getty Images/Joe Raedle

By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

The increased role of trade in the last decade for beef, pork and poultry highlights the importance of trade to all the meat markets. While trade of the meats individually is the focus of each industry, it is apparent that all meat sectors are increasingly affected by the trade of each meat.  This is especially the case when trade policies that will affect all meats are considered.  Changes or disruptions in trade of individual meats often has impacts on other meats in various international markets and has impacts on domestic meat supplies, consumption and prices in U.S. markets.

Net exports of combined beef, pork and poultry have increased over time.  Imports of all meat have been relatively constant at about 4.7% of domestic meat production since 1960.  1992 was the first year that meat exports exceeded meat imports resulting in positive net meat exports. Exports of meat have averaged 12.3% of production since 1992 compared to 1.3% from 1960 to 1991.  Exports of meat exceeded five percent of production for the first time in 1992 and grew rapidly for beef, pork and poultry in the 1990s with total meat exports exceeding 10% of production by 1996.  Total meat exports have exceeded double-digit percentages of production since 1996 except for 2004, which dropped briefly to 9.5% of total production (largely due to reduced beef exports as a result of BSE).  With lower meat imports in recent years and continued strong exports, net meat exports have exceeded double-digit levels since 2008, averaging 12.0% from 2008-2016 with exports averaging 16.1% and imports averaging 4.1% of production.  2016 net meat exports were 11.0% of domestic production, up from 2015 levels but lower than peak net exports of 13.7% in 2011 and 2012.  Net meat exports are expected to continue improving year over year in 2017 with exports increasing and imports declining year over year.  Net meat exports are projected to approach 12 percent of production in 2017 assuming no unexpected changes or disruptions.  Any number of disease incidents or political changes in the U.S. or globally could impact this forecast. 

The top five countries for total meat exports in 2016 were: Mexico (23.6%); Japan (12.9%); Canada (8.3%); South Korea (6.3%) and Hong Kong (5.4%).  The top five countries accounted for 56.5% of meat exports with the NAFTA market accounting for 31.9% and the three Asian markets accounting for 24.6% of total meat exports.  These five countries accounted for 82.6% of beef exports; 74.7% of pork exports and 32.2% of poultry exports.  All five countries were important markets for beef, pork and poultry in 2016, with the exception of no poultry exports to Japan and less than five percent of total poultry exports going to South Korea. Other important markets tend to be dominated by individual meats.  For example, 85.7% of Caribbean meat exports are poultry (4.7% of total meat exports); China, 99% is pork (3.5% of total meat exports); and Taiwan, 87.7% is beef (1.1% of total meat exports).

 

 

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