United States pork exports were up 8 percent in volume and 7 percent in value in 2016 from 2015. National Pork Board Vice President of International Marketing Becca Nepple says part of that was attributed to the work of the pork checkoff group but challenges in 2015 also were a factor leading to better numbers in 2016.

She says the National Pork Board has approved more funding to help with the goal of increasing even more pork exports this year.

Nepple says their export goals for this year include gaining more market access over competing countries as well as working for emerging markets.

Nepple says our foreign market customers want the muscle cuts and variety meats that U.S. consumers don’t usually want so that increases the opportunity for more exports.