Pork News for 3-18-10

January US pork exports were 13% less than the previous year. January ham exports to Mexico were the second largest on record. Relatively solid ham exports to Mexico are anticipated to persevere which should be supportive of ham prices. The ham market is forecasted to remain well above year ago levels through the summer. Pork production last week declined 1.2% and was 1.7% less than 2009. Pork output typically trends downward during the next eighteen weeks or so which is bullish for pork prices.