Pork exports have increased dramatically since the 1990s and currently account for over 20 per cent of total domestic production in the USA.
The US is by far a net meat protein exporter and as such, it is in the interest of the US to advocate for a reduction of non-tariff trade barriers.
Current forecasts are for US beef, pork, chicken and poultry production to be a total 91.017 billion pounds in 2014.
Out of this total production number, about 15.783 billion pounds (17 per cent) will be exports.
Imports of beef, pork and poultry are expected to total 3.943 billion pounds. In other words, the US has a 11.840 trade surplus when it comes to meat protein trade.
Chicken exports account for a large portion of that trade surplus. This is because the USA has a significant trade advantage in terms of chicken production.
Lower feed costs, technological advancements and a preference among US consumers for white meat (while other countries prefer dark meat) have provided significant opportunities for US chicken exports.