Opportunities for 2021 pork exports after record-setting 2020

Last year was a record-setting year for U.S. pork exports. Sales abroad in 2020 were up 11% by volume and value increased 11% compared to 2019, according to recent data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. From January to December, 6.56 billion pounds of U.S. pork and pork variety meat, valued at $7.7 billion, were exported globally. Pork exports accounted for 29.3% of total U.S. pork production.In this episode we talk with a pair of pork industry experts on how the U.S. achieved these record-setting sales volumes and values, and what the road ahead looks like for the industry in 2021. First, we’ll hear from Dr. Clay Eastwood, Director of International Marketing for the National Pork Board, about how the Pork Checkoff and the U.S. Meat Export Federation navigated the uncharted waters of overseas marketing during a global pandemic.Later in the episode we’ll talk with noted agricultural economist Brett Stuart, founding partner of Global AgriTrends, about his analysis of what’s happening in China and his projections for 2021 pork exports. For more information on this and other stories, visit  Feedstuffs  online.Follow Feedstuffs on Twitter @Feedstuffs, or join the conversation via Facebook.