Record-high export values for beef ($4.08 billion) and the second-highest total on record for pork ($4.78 billion) fueled the trade surplus.

“The United States agriculture sector not only is feeding much of the world, but it’s an important source of jobs and revenue for our country,“ said Philip Seng, president and CEO of USMEF.

The US beef industry exported 2.35 billion pounds valued at $4.08 billion in 2010, increases of 19 per cent in volume and 32 per cent in value over 2009. Beef exports exceeded imports by 605.1 million pounds and $1.155 billion in value.

Similarly, US pork exports increased 3 per cent in volume to 4.23 billion pounds and 10 per cent in value to $4.78 billion versus 2009 totals. Those exports exceeded imports by 3.4 billion pounds and $3.58 billion in value.

Only US lamb had an export deficit. Exports of 23.5 million pounds valued at $20.6 million compared with imports of 126.2 million pounds valued at $490 million.

Total US red meat exports in 2010 were valued at $8.88 billion, 19.4 per cent higher than the previous year and 4 per cent higher than the previous record set in 2008.

That $8.88 billion in exports supports an estimated 107,000 US jobs, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculations, with every billion dollars in US agricultural exports supporting approximately 12,000 American jobs.

“The value of US red meat exports can be measured in many ways,“ Mr Seng said. “For example, in 2010, the incremental value of beef exports equated to $153.09 for every steer and heifer processed. For hogs, the incremental value of exports was $43.72 per head.“

Another way to measure the value of exports, Seng said, was the return on investment that it provides for the taxpayers’ support of USMEF’s proactive efforts to support exports in 80 countries around the world. Of USMEF’s $35.3 million budget, just over half ($18.4 million) came from USDA’s Market Access Programme (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, with the balance coming in the form of support from the beef, pork, corn and soybean industries and USMEF members. An additional $24.3 million was contributed by international third-party organizations that USMEF partners with in its market development activities.

A recent independent study conducted by IHS Global Insight, Inc., for USDA found that for every $1 expended by government and industry on market development, US food and agricultural exports increased by $35. Based on that formula, the collective $59.6 million that USMEF drew from all of its funding sources in 2010 created a $2.1 billion benefit for US red meat exports.

“The decision by our legislators to invest in programs like the Market Access Program creates a multiplier effect that boosts exports, creates jobs and keeps the US agriculture sector vibrant and profitable,“ said Mr Seng. “That $18.4 million investment USDA made in the US red meat sector through USMEF in 2010 will pay dividends in American jobs for years to come.“