2010 Iowa Pork Exports Surpass $1 Billion and Achieve Record High
January 25, 2011 (Des Moines) – Figures released today by the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) show that for the first eleven months of 2010, Iowa pork exports surpassed the $1 billion mark, achieving the highest level in Iowa history.
Iowa companies exported $1,005,022,505 in pork products January through November, 2010. Even without the December export totals, which are not yet available, 2010 sets a record for Iowa pork exports and demonstrates why Iowa leads the nation in pork product exporting.
“Exporting more than $1 billion in pork products is exciting,” stated Governor Terry Branstad. “Market expansion is key to Iowa’s business and industry growth and the more we can open overseas markets such as Korea and China, the more we can help our Iowa companies take advantage of export opportunities.”
“Iowa companies exported pork products to 43 countries in 2010,” stated IDED Director Debi Durham. “Not only does exporting generate billions of dollars annually, it also allows Iowa companies to expand operations and create quality jobs for Iowans.”
Since 1998, Iowa’s pork exports have increased fivefold and account for 23.6 percent of total U.S. pork production. This tremendous increase in pork product exports illustrates that Iowa’s pork industry is producing a highly sought after product at very competitive prices. Iowa’s top pork product export markets for 2010 include:
Japan ($440 million) 43.8% of total
Mexico ($126 million) 12.6% of total
Canada ($119 million) 11.8 % of total
Hong Kong/China ($91 million) 9.1% of total Russia (61 million) 1.6% of total
“Exports are critical to the success of the industry and this is wonderful news for Iowa’s pork producers, who work very hard to responsibly produce quality, nutritious and affordable products,” stated John Weber, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). “IPPA started foreign market development activities in 1989 and has generally taken two foreign trade missions a year since. In 1995, the U.S. became a net exporter of pork and that status remains today.”
The state of Iowa, associations and companies place priority on fostering relationships with foreign buyers necessary to understand, produce and deliver finished products that meet their individual preferences. These efforts can be attributed to the fact that 23 percent of the value of pork production is exported, and also related to an increase in the number of Iowa workers in the food product and packaging industries.
The Iowa Department of Economic Development actively supports the ongoing expansion of trade efforts throughout the world. Iowa’s network of service providers and companies are actively building networks that are strengthening Iowa’s position as an export leader through efforts of foreign offices in Germany and Japan, trade representatives in China and Mexico, numerous trade missions, trade shows, and hosting inbound delegations.
“The Iowa Department of Economic Development supports all Iowa agriculture, particularly the pork industry, and we’re very grateful for the department’s leadership and efforts to build, maintain and strengthen our foreign markets,” stated Weber. “The department, along with the United States Meat Export Federation, is helping enhance the success of the Iowa pork industry.”
Total overall exports of manufactured and value-added goods for January – November 2010 was $9.868 billion going to 185 countries.
