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USMEF: March pork exports increased 3 percent year-over-year to 269,344 mt

Pork

March pork exports increased 3% year-over-year to 269,344 mt, valued at $769.7 million (up 4%), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Posted on May 15 ,00:25

First-quarter exports were slightly above last year’s record value pace at $2.11 billion, but slightly lower in volume (754,488 mt).

“March was another spectacular month for U.S. pork demand in Mexico and Central America, but exports also rebounded nicely to Colombia and Korea,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Duty-free access has helped fuel pork exports to these key markets, where we continue to see heightened competition”.

Plant eligibility for China is less of an issue for U.S. pork than for U.S. beef, as China renewed most pork establishments in mid-March. But Halstrom cautioned that both pork and beef exports to China have since hit a wall due to China’s prohibitive duties, which now total 172% for U.S. pork and 147% for U.S. beef.

“Shipments already in the pipeline can still clear without the extra 125% tariff, provided they shipped before April 10 and arrive in China by May 13”, Halstrom explained. “But new business has been effectively halted until there is a de-escalation of the U.S.-China trade impasse”.

March pork demand shines in Mexico and Central America, rebounds in Colombia

March was another spectacular month for U.S. pork exports to Mexico, which increased 14% from a year ago to 96,723 mt. Export value soared 19% to $213.1 million – the ninth consecutive month that value has exceeded $200 million. Through the first quarter, pork exports to Mexico topped last year’s record pace by 5% at 294,403 mt, with value climbing 11% to $637.7 million.

While trade relations with Mexico have been relatively stable in 2025, USMEF is closely monitoring the U.S. Commerce Department’s plan to impose a 21% antidumping duty on tomatoes imported from Mexico, effective July 14. Mexico has not published a retaliation list, but U.S. pork has been mentioned as a potential target.

Fueled by monthly records for Honduras and Guatemala, March pork exports to Central America increased 21% from a year ago to 16,493 mt, while value increased 22% to $51.8 million. First-quarter shipments to the region were 20% above last year’s record pace at 45,167 mt, valued at $141.7 million (up 23%). First-quarter exports established a record volume pace to Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.   

After a slow start in 2025, March pork exports to Colombia surged to the second highest monthly volume on record, climbing 39% from a year ago to 14,342 mt, while export value soared 44% to $41.3 million. First-quarter shipments to Colombia climbed 4% above last year’s record pace at 33,264 mt, while value increased 9% to $96 million.

Other first-quarter results for U.S. pork exports include:

• Although March pork exports to South Korea were well below the enormous totals posted a year ago, the market actually achieved a significant rebound. March shipments to Korea totaled 23,882 mt, down 13% year-over-year but the largest since April. While export value declined 15% to $77.4 million, this was the highest total since May. First-quarter exports to Korea totaled 58,214 mt, which was down 16% from last year’s pace when exports were the highest since 2018. Value fell 18% to $186.7 million.
• March pork exports to China/Hong Kong were steady with last year in volume at 41,000 mt, while value increased 3% to $99.1 million. For the first quarter, exports to the region increased 3% to 117,087 mt, with value up 7% to $284.6 million. Variety meat exports to China accounted for about two-thirds of this total (77,440 mt, valued at $190.6 million), as China is the leading destination for U.S. pork variety meat. As noted above, production of pork variety meats for China has now mostly stopped due to prohibitive duties. While the U.S. industry has made it a priority to diversify markets for pork variety meat, China’s demand cannot be fully replaced.
• U.S. pork is performing well in the Philippines, where domestic pork production has been heavily impacted by African swine fever. March shipments to the Philippines increased 9% from a year ago to 5,050 mt, while value climbed 26% to $11.6 million. First-quarter exports increased 15% to 12,821 mt, while value climbed 39% to $29.5 million.
• Demand for U.S. pork continues to climb in Cuba, where March exports increased 57% from a year ago to 1,068 mt, valued at $2.9 million (up 32%). For the first quarter, exports to Cuba doubled from a year ago to 3,346 mt, while value climbed 107% to $10.2 million.
• March pork exports to Japan were 6% below last year at 30,163 mt, while value fell 8% to $119.1 million. First-quarter exports to Japan were 14% below last year in volume (75,843 mt) and 15% lower in value ($304.8 million).
• March pork exports equated to $73.91 per head slaughtered, up 4% from a year ago and the second highest on record, trailing only May 2021. The first-quarter average was up 2% to $65.82 per head. Exports accounted for 33.2% of total March pork production and 29% for muscle cuts only – each about one percentage point higher than a year ago. First-quarter ratios were 30.2% of total production and 26.3% for muscle cuts, up from 29.9% and 25.8%, respectively, a year ago.

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