Beef exports increased by 16 per cent to $7.13 billion, but
the tonnage was 1.2 million which is two per cent shy of the record set in
2011.
Pork exports increased by 10 per cent to $6.67 billion, but
the tonnage, at 2.18 million, also shy
of the previous record of 2.62 million metric tons, set in 2012.
Exports overcame significant challenges to reach these
milestones, including market access restrictions in Russia and China, an
appreciating U.S. dollar and, most recently, shipping difficulties related to a
labour dispute in the West Coast ports.