Pork Wants Lion’s Share of World Market

April 28, 2000

The U.S. pork industry is working to become the dominant player in the pork export market over the next decade. As population and economic prosperity both expand, U.S. pork can become the meat of choice in more and larger markets, pork industry officials believe.

‘In less than 10 years, the United States went from being the second largest importer of pork to being the second largest pork exporter in the world," said Al Tank, National Pork Producers Council CEO. Last year, the United States exported 554,000 tons of pork valued at $1.2 billion, including the pork portion of the Russian food aid package.

"This provides new opportunities for all producers," Tank said, and there are several key factors to the United States becoming the dominant world pork exporter.

The United States can play a role in feeding the world’s growing population. The population in 1999 reached 6 billion people and expected to increase at the rate of 78 million people a year during the next 10 years.

"According to the World Bank, the total world economy will grow at a rate of 3.1% per year in the next 10 years, increasing individual levels of income. Historically there has been a direct correlation between income growth and growth in per capita consumption of meat products. "We expect that trend to continue," said Tank. Pork is the world’s most widely consumed meat. According to USDA, said Tank, pork represented about 41% of all meat consumed in 1999 compared to beef at 25% and poultry at 29%.

U.S. pork producers plan to meet the expected growing demand for pork worldwide by maintaining a consistent supply of a safe product produced in an environmentally sustainable manner; gaining meaningful access to all key markets; supplying the highest quality, safest pork and pork products in the world that meet or exceed the needs of specific customers at a price they’re willing to pay; customizing products and services to meet the needs of end users; creating a significant acceptance for U.S. pork in key markets, and establishing a world class image and reputation for U.S. pork.

"We believe the United States has the most comprehensive food safety inspection system in the world, and our pork is second to none in this respect," said Tank. "However, this is not universally recognized." The reputation of U.S. food safety needs to be strengthened through increased U.S. pork marketing efforts.