**Following a record-breaking 2019, U.S. pork exports maintained a torrid pace in January.

According to USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, January export VOLUME, up 36% year-over-year and value up 50%, were the second highest on record.

USMEF senior vice president Joel Haggard says although the total import duty rate for U.S. pork is still above 60%, China now allows importers to apply for exclusions as low as 33% for U.S. pork muscle cuts and 37% for variety meat.

**U.S. exporters shipped over 184-thousand tons of milk powders, cheese, whey products, lactose and butterfat to overseas buyers in January, a 21% jump from last year.

milkbusiness.com reports, the value of January 2020 dairy exports was $555 million, up 29% and the highest monthly figure in nearly 5 years.

The biggest gains were in Southeast Asia.

 

 

**The Auction of Washington Wines has announced its honorees for 2020.

Honorees include Karen MacNeil, of Wine Speed and “The Wine Bible”, the best-selling wine book in the U.S., as Honorary Chair. Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery as Honorary Vintner, and Rob Mercer of Mercer Estates Winery as Honorary Grower.

AWW’s annual series of wine events, August 13-15, benefit Seattle Children’s and Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology programs.

The honorees represent the highest standard of excellence in the Washington wine industry.

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