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USMEF: Pork exports open 2026 on high note

Pork

U.S. pork exports trended higher year-over-year in January, led by another outstanding performance from leading market Mexico, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Posted on Mar 17 ,00:30

January pork exports totaled 250,861 metric tons (mt), up 3% from a year ago, while value increased 4% to $692.1 million. In addition to Mexico, exports were larger year-over-year to Japan, South Korea, Canada, Central America, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, the ASEAN and Taiwan.

“Very impressive start to the year for U.S. pork in Mexico and other Western Hemisphere markets, but strengthening demand in Asian destinations is especially encouraging,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The U.S. industry continues to capitalize on consumers’ growing demand for convenience-oriented products at both retail and foodservice, and this is reflected in our recent export results.”

Coming off a fifth consecutive record year, pork exports to Mexico remained on a roll in January, increasing 3% from a year ago to 107,902 mt. Export value climbed 8% to $238.7 million. As USMEF has previously reported, U.S. pork faces a potential headwind in Mexico due to antidumping and anti-subsidy investigations on U.S. hams and shoulders. Led by the National Pork Producers Council and USMEF, as well as individual company participation, the U.S. industry has responded in great detail to the Mexican government’s requests for information, demonstrating that U.S. export growth is demand-driven and refuting concerns about dumping or subsidization.

Pork exports to Japan totaled 27,910 mt in January, up 22% from a year ago and the largest since May. Export value was $103.8 million, up 14%. With the U.S. and Japan continuing to work on a reciprocal trade deal, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to visit the White House next week. USMEF does not expect any impact on red meat market access in Japan, as the U.S. continues to benefit from the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement reached in President Trump’s first term. But a reciprocal deal could further solidify general trade relations between the two nations.

Pork exports to Colombia set a value record in 2025 and nearly matched 2024’s record volume, but shipments slowed toward the end of the year. That trend was reversed in January, as shipments climbed 16% year-over-year to 9,853 mt, valued at $30 million (up 13%). While Colombia was once primarily a destination for raw material for further processing, exports have expanded in recent years to include a range of value-added products.

Other January results for U.S. pork exports include:

• Similar to Colombia, pork exports to Central America were record-large in 2025 but slowed near the end of the year. Led by growth in leading market Honduras, January exports to the region edged slightly higher than a year ago in both volume (14,651 mt, up 1%) and value ($47.6 million, up 2%).
• January exports to South Korea increased year-over-year for the seventh consecutive month, climbing 3% in volume (16,691 mt) and 9% in value ($57.5 million). This growth was achieved even as cheaper Spanish pork became available in the market, due to African swine fever (ASF) related restrictions other trading partners have imposed on Spain.
• In the Dominican Republic, Brazilian pork has made inroads in the market, but demand continues to grow, U.S. market share has rebounded, and domestic production is still battling ASF and other challenges. January exports to the DR reached 8,108 mt, up 25% from a year ago, while value climbed 26% to $24.2 million.
• The U.S. and Taiwan recently announced a reciprocal trade deal that includes market access gains for U.S. pork, including lower tariffs. While those benefits have not yet been implemented, January exports totaled 1,346 mt, up 181% from the low year-ago volume. Export value more than tripled to $3.6 million (up 205%).
• Pork exports to Canada were strong in January, increasing 6% from a year ago to 16,243 mt. Export value climbed 7% to $63.1 million.
• Despite retaliatory duties, sluggish demand and ample domestic supplies, China continues to be the largest destination for U.S. pork variety meats. January variety meat exports to China totaled 24,139 mt, up 3% from a year ago, though value declined 11% to $52 million. Global variety meat exports increased 6% to 47,129 mt, including gains in Mexico, the Philippines, Canada, Guatemala, Korea and the DR. Export value fell 3% to $97.3 million, mainly due to the decline in China.
• Pork export value averaged $62.07 per head slaughtered in January, up 6.5% from a year ago. Exports accounted for 28.5% of total January pork production and 24.9% for muscle cuts only, up from the respective January 2025 ratios of 27.1% and 23.8%. 

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