(NAFB) – The latest monthly U.S. pork export data represents a solid start for 2021, although the year-over-year numbers are down slightly.  Clay Eastwood, Director of International Marketing with the National Pork Board, says the numbers show a decrease of nine percent by volume and 13 percent by value for the first month of the year. Even with these changes, Eastwood reminds us, the overall growth rate for pork exports into China is strong, with a value of over $173 million.

Eastwood also points to Japan as a leading market, critical to overall U.S. Pork Exports.

According to Eastwood, there will still be challenges for exports in 2021, but U.S. pork has opportunity to help fill global demand.

Eastwood says the Pork Checkoff-funded export market work will be focused on diversifying the markets and the opportunities within those markets, as a base for further growth in 2021.

Details about the National Pork Board export programs can be found on www.porkcheckoff.org.