Exports of U.S. pork maintained strong momentum in April, led by broad-based growth in Asian and Western Hemisphere markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports trended lower in April due to the impasse with China, along with year-over-year declines in other major markets.
“Pork continues to have the same momentum that we’ve seen for the last six, eight months,” says USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “We have considerable growth in the Latin American region. If you look at both April and the whole year-to-date timeframe, Mexico, you’re looking at record growth. Central America at 10% growth for April is also on a record pace, Caribbean as well, with the Dominican Republic also on a pace that’s close to record.”
Halstrom cautions that the April data does not capture the impact of restrictions on some pork variety meat items imposed in early May by Mexico and Colombia, following findings of pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibodies in five boars in quarantine at a small operation in Iowa. He notes pork muscle cut exports have not been impacted.
“USDA continues to work with its counterpart agencies in these countries to put these PRV-related restrictions behind us as soon as possible,” Halstrom says. “There was a significant negative impact on May exports and the situation has continued into June, but it should hopefully be short-lived.”
A Surge in April Pork Exports
- Pork exports totaled 257,212 metric tons (mt) in April, 8% (and nearly 20,000 mt) above last year.
- Pork export value increased 6% to $718.1 million.
- Export value per head slaughtered equated to $66.83 in April, up 7% from a year ago.
- April’s strong performance reflected growth in Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Philippines.
- Exports were significantly higher for China and Canada compared to low volumes posted a year ago.
“The Asian markets continue to have growth as well, and Japan, in particular, is up 9% in April on pork, year-to-date up 17%,” he says. “The numbers are good, but especially when you consider the global beef situation, I think that’s an opportunity for pork for incremental per capita consumption, just as a potential alternative for beef in some of these markets, and I think that’s maybe what you’re seeing in Japan right now.”
Pork Above 2025 Pace Through April
For January through April, pork exports were 4% above the 2025 pace in both volume (1.04 million mt) and value ($2.89 billion). Export value was slightly above the total posted in the first four months of 2024, when exports went on to set an annual value record.
“Mexico and other key Latin American markets continue to perform remarkably well for U.S. pork, as new product development and consumer education efforts are paying major dividends,” Halstrom adds.
