Pork exports are off to a good start in 2026. The February export data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), shows U.S. pork is slightly higher year-over-year. Meanwhile, beef exports trended lower, due in large part to continued lack of access to China.
“While leading market Mexico posted another excellent performance in February, shipments to Japan increased significantly from last year’s low total and exports also trended higher year-over-year to South Korea, Central America, the Dominican Republic and Taiwan,” USMEF reports.
Pork is above pace
In February, the contribution value per head of pork exports was $67 a head, the highest level in quite a while, USMEF adds. The total pork export value came in at $678.8 million.
For January through February, U.S. pork exports were 2% above last year’s pace in both volume at 493,372 metric tons and value at $1.37 billion. Export value is slightly ahead of the record pace established in 2024, USMEF notes.
Pork exports build momentum in Latin America and Japan
“Volume was up slightly from a year ago at 242,511 metric tons, up 1% and the value is also up 1%,” says USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom.
Two things stood out to Halstrom in the pork report.
Latin America continues to perform.
Mexico had a $221-million month with continued growth off of last year’s record, up 4% for the month on volume and up 9% on value. Central America was up, too, he points out.
Japan experiences renewed momentum.
The U.S. exported 28,000 metric tons of pork to Japan in February, which was up 20% from last year. Although Halstrom says this was a bit low, it is still an increase from 2025. U.S. pork export value was up 14%.
It’s time to demonstrate U.S. pork’s advantages in Japan
“It is gratifying to see demand for U.S. pork continue to expand in our Western Hemisphere markets,” Halstrom points out. “But the rebound in Japan really stands out to me, given the strong economic headwinds and intense competition in this important market. To build on this recent momentum in Japan, it is critical that we continue to differentiate U.S. pork and demonstrate its advantages to Japanese importers and consumers.”
U.S. beef variety meats shine bright
February beef exports totaled 85,066 metric tons, down 13% from last year, while value fell 10% to $722.7 million. USMEF says much of this gap was due to China’s lockout of U.S. beef, though February shipments were also below last year to Korea, Japan and Canada. Exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, Taiwan, the Caribbean and South America, while demand was steady in the Middle East and Central America. Excluding China, February exports were 4% higher in value and just 1% below last year’s volume.
The February totals included 24,081 metric tons of beef variety meat, up 12% from a year ago, while the value of these shipments soared 40% to $106 million.
Through the first two months of 2026, beef and beef variety meat exports were 12% below last year’s pace in volume at 177,624 metric tons and 6% lower in value at $1.5 billion. Excluding China from these results, exports increased 2% to 175,915 metric tons, while value was 10% higher at $1.49 billion.
January-February exports of beef variety meat increased 9% from a year ago to 51,592 metric tons, while export value climbed 43% to $232 million.
