February alfalfa hay exports

set a record

February U.S. alfalfa hay exports topped 150,000 metric tons for the fifth time in six months, according to USDA's Foreign Ag Service.

February alfalfa hay exports totaled 167,933 metric tons, quite possibly the largest volume on record, and bringing the 2012 two-month total to 310,473 metric tons.

Previous high monthly total alfalfa hay exports were 163,034 metric tons in December 2010 and 162,213 metric tons in May 2009.

Japan was again the leading monthly U.S. alfalfa hay market, importing 53,187 metric tons in February, for a two-month total of 99,471 metric tons, about 32 percent of the U.S. year-to-date total.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) imported 45,977 metric tons of U.S. alfalfa hay in February, bringing its 2012 total to 87,007 metric tons, or about 28 percent of all U.S. exports so far this year.

China, South Korea and Taiwan rounded out the top five markets, both for the month and year-to-date.

U.S. exports of other hay in February totaled 151,014 metric tons, for a two-month total to 301,697 metric tons.

Japan imported 180,462 metric tons of other hay from the U.S. during the first two months of 2012, or nearly 60 percent of the total.

South Korea, China, UAE and Taiwan (in order) rounded out the top five markets for other hay, both in February and year-to-date.