Exports remained a rare bright spot in a turbulent year for the U.S. pork industry, with October export numbers showing big gains year-over-year.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data published by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) last week, October pork ex­­ports were up 8% compared to the same month in 2019, and total exports for the first 10 months of the year were up 15%.

Not only are the export totals up, but the value has also jumped by 8% in October and 16% January through October.

“A lot of that is due to the large...