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USMEF: U.S. pork exports on robust pace through April

Pork

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).

Posted on Jun 15 ,00:25

Pork exports totaled 257,212 metric tons (mt) in April, 8% (and nearly 20,000 mt) above last year, while value increased 6% to $718.1 million. April’s strong performance reflected growth in Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Philippines. For China and Canada, exports were significantly higher than the low volumes posted a year ago.

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,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Combine this with a rebound in Japan and Taiwan, growth in the Philippines and steady demand in Korea, and 2026 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for U.S. pork.”

Halstrom cautioned, however, 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.  (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,” he explained. “There was a significant negative impact on May exports and the situation has continued into June, but it should hopefully be short-lived.”

April pork exports buoyed by Mexico, Japan, Dominican Republic

Pork exports to leading market Mexico, which are on a record pace in 2026, were robust again in April at 94,538 mt, up 3% from a year ago, while value climbed 7% to $211.4 million. January-April exports totaled 403,675 mt, up 5% year-over-year, valued at just under $900 million (up 8%). These results include a 6% increase in pork variety meat shipments, which reached 58,713 mt through April, valued at $104.3 million (up 8%).

As noted above, however, May data will reflect a major disruption in pork variety meat trade, as Mexico halted imports of skins, fat, feet and other offal items, regardless of their state of origin. Restrictions on these products are now (effective June 8) limited to those sourced from hogs from farms in Iowa or Texas. USMEF hopes to see a lifting of Mexico’s statewide restrictions once a second round of PRV testing is completed later this week and the final USDA report is submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health.    

The rebound in Japan’s demand for U.S. pork continued in April, with exports reaching 32,682 mt, up 9% year-over-year, valued at $122.1 million (up 3%). Through April, pork exports to Japan were 17% above last year’s pace at 123,458 mt, with value up 11% to $467.9 million, closely approaching levels from the same period in 2024. Exports to Japan have been above year-ago levels for the last five months. 

April pork exports to the Dominican Republic soared 57% above last year at 11,622 mt (following a strong month in March when volume neared 12,500 mt), while value increased 51% to $33.7 million. This was the second highest monthly value on record, following a record March total of nearly $36 million. For January through April, pork exports to the DR were 38% above last year’s pace at 41,606 mt, while value increased 35% to $121.1 million.

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

• Led by robust growth in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and El Salvador, pork exports to Central America are on a record pace in 2026. April exports increased 10% year-over-year to 17,264 mt, while value climbed 19% to $58.9 million. Through April, shipments to the region were up 8% to 65,554 mt, valued at $217.6 million (up 14%).
• April pork exports to Canada climbed 71% above last year’s low volume, reaching 14,199 mt, valued at $56.1 million (up 65%). Through the first four months of the year, shipments to Canada were up 12% from a year ago to 65,306 mt, while value increased 10% to $258.5 million.
• Pork exports to the Philippines reached 5,591 mt in April, up 26% from a year ago, while value increased 3% to $11.9 million. Through April, exports to the Philippines were 21% above last year’s pace at 20,932 mt, with value up 8% to $44.3 million.
• Although April pork exports to Taiwan were below last year, January-April shipments to Taiwan were still up 53% from last year’s low level at 4,573 mt, with value increasing 41% to $10.8 million.
• April pork exports to China, which are primarily variety meat, reached 35,136 mt, up 33% from last year’s minimal volume, while value was up 15% to $74.4 million. For January through April, exports to China pulled nearly even with last year’s pace at 139,915 mt (down 1%), while value was still down 13% to $297.3 million.
• Pork export value equated to $66.83 per head slaughtered in April, up 7% from a year ago. The January-April per-head average was $67.26, up 4%. Exports accounted for 30.5% of total April pork production and 26.7% of muscle cuts – each up significantly from the respective year-ago ratios of 28.1% and 25.2%. For January through April, exports accounted for 30.7% of total production, up from 29.6% last year, while the ratio of muscle cuts exported increased from 26% in 2025 to 26.7% this year.

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