Exports to Mexico surged in the first half of 2022, making the country the leading market for U.S. pork with increased purchases of hams and shoulders. Exports have also increased this year in Colombia, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. In total, pork exports around the globe account for about 26% of pork production so far this year.
Pork exports to leading market Mexico remained on a record pace in June, up 3% from a year ago to 72,361 metric tons (mt), while value climbed 11% to $166.4 million. This pushed first-half exports to Mexico to 469,295 mt, up 18% from a year ago, valued at $881.5 million (up 12%), the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reports.
Colombia’s demand for U.S. pork started the year slow, but picked up speed in the second quarter, USMEF notes. June exports totaled 11,120 mt, up 90% from a year ago and the largest of 2022. First-half exports to Colombia were 10% above last year in volume (51,813 mt) and value was on a record pace at $119.5 million (also up 10%). While a large percentage of the U.S. pork exported to Colombia is used for further processing, the U.S. industry has made significant gains in Colombia’s retail and foodservice sectors, USMEF says.
Although June pork exports to the Dominican Republic dropped from the large totals in April and May, shipments still more than doubled from year ago in both volume (7,235 mt, up 118%) and value ($19.7 million, up 116%). First-half exports to the Dominican Republic increased 49% to 43,345 mt, with value climbing 52% to $108.3 million, USMEF reports. Shipments also trended higher to the Bahamas and the Leeward-Winward Islands, first-half exports to the Caribbean increased 40% in volume (51,748 mt) and 45% in value ($137.7 million).
2022 First-Half Pork Exports Compared to 2021
Source: National Pork Board
Courtney Knupp, National Pork Board’s vice president of international market development, said the success of the growing markets is thanks to NPB’s strategic partnership with USMEF to promote diverse market cuts, including variety meats and muscle cuts.
“Our focus on trading with partners closest to home has paid off,” Knupp said in the National Pork Board’s weekly newsletter. “For the first half of the year, we continued to get more value per unit. The value we receive for variety meats is hugely beneficial to the overall value and price of the hog.”
First-Half Key Markets in Value and Volume Compared to 2021
Source: National Pork Board
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U.S. Pork Exports Reach Highest Level of 2022, 126% Increase in Dominican Republic
