August pork exports were lower than a year ago, primarily due to a sharp decline in shipments to Mexico compared to the large totals posted in August 2025, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
U.S. pork exports totaled 222,243 mt in August, down 6% from a year ago, while value fell 12% to $606.3 million. Most of this decline was due to lower shipments to Mexico, where domestic pork production has rebounded and demand for hams has softened in recent months. August pork exports trended higher than a year ago to Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean – growth markets where exports are on a record pace in 2026. But these results were offset by lower shipments to Mexico, Japan, Korea, China, Oceania and the ASEAN region.
“U.S. pork has had a remarkable run in Mexico, though pork variety meat exports suffered a setback during the pseudorabies-related restrictions that heavily restricted shipments from May through July, and we have seen softer demand for pork muscle cuts in recent weeks,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “These trends really underscore the importance of market diversification and illustrate why the U.S. industry is constantly working to identify and develop additional destinations for U.S. pork. These efforts are paying tremendous dividends in markets like Colombia, Central America and the Dominican Republic, and it is critical that we continue to strive for similar success in more regions throughout the world.”
For January through August, pork exports remained 1% higher than a year ago at 1.95 million mt, while value was steady at $5.47 billion. Compared to the record pace of 2024, exports were down 2% in volume and were 4% lower in value.
Regional Performance Highlights
Mexico
After racing to a strong start in 2026, pork exports to Mexico softened with the pseudorabies-related restrictions that began in May and this trend accelerated in August, with exports falling 12% from a year ago in volume (90,560 mt). August export value declined 22% from the large year-ago total, reaching $197.1 million. August shipments of pork variety meats slowed from the large year-ago volume, as many exporters were still pivoting from China back to Mexico.
For muscle cuts, August exports also slowed, in part reflecting increasing availability of domestic pork within Mexico. These results pushed January-August exports to Mexico 3% below last year’s record pace in volume (756,466 mt) and 4% lower in value ($1.72 billion).
Central America & Latin America
Pork exports to other Western Hemisphere markets fared much better in August. Led by robust growth in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, August shipments to Central America increased 18% from a year ago in volume (17,095 mt) and value ($56.3 million). Exports to the region are on a record pace through August, climbing 11% to 130,987 mt, while value increased 15% to $432.3 million.
After a slow first quarter, pork exports to Colombia have also rebounded to record levels in 2026. August exports to Colombia jumped 34% in volume (12,649 mt) and 35% in value ($37.7 million) from a year ago. This was the highest volume since the near-record total in May and otherwise the highest since March 2025. These results pushed January-August shipments to Colombia 5% above last year at 89,812 mt, while value increased 6% to $260.7 million.
Other January-August Export Results for U.S. Pork Include:
- Dominican Republic: August pork exports to the Dominican Republic increased 9% from a year ago to 7,212 mt, while value was 8% higher at $21.5 million. January-August exports to the DR climbed 23% in volume (72,423 mt) and 22% in value ($212.3 million) compared to the same period last year.
- Japan: Pork exports to Japan have trended higher in 2026 but took a step back in August, with shipments falling 6% in volume (22,841 mt) and 12% in value ($86.2 million) from a year ago. Through August, shipments to Japan were still 13% above last year at 241,787 mt, while value increased 8% to $918.3 million.
- Korea: Korea’s demand for U.S. pork has softened this year, due in part to a spike in imports of Spanish pork, which is currently ineligible for Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia due to African swine fever (ASF) cases in Spain. For January through August, U.S. exports to Korea were 8% below last year in volume (134,996 mt) and 7% lower in value ($441.9 million).
- China: Pork exports to China, which are primarily variety meats, trended lower in August at 29,528 mt (down 6%), while value fell 13% to $59.2 million. January-August shipments to China were 9% above last year in volume (271,354 mt) but value declined 4% to $560.6 million, reflecting the 47% tariff on U.S. pork and pork variety meat, as well as large Chinese pork production, against sluggish demand.
- Taiwan: Taiwan was an Asian bright spot for U.S. pork in August, with exports nearly tripling from low year-ago totals to 854 mt (up 189%), while value climbed 48% to $1.5 million. January-August exports to Taiwan increased 28% from a year ago to 7,263 mt, while value increased 13% to $15.9 million.
Pork export value equated to $61.12 per head slaughtered in August, down nearly 10% from the very strong average posted in August 2025. January-August export value equated to $65.47 per head, down slightly from a year ago.
Exports accounted for 29.4% of total August pork production and 25.3% of muscle cuts, down from the respective year-ago ratios of 31% and 26.3%. For January through August, exports accounted for 30% of total production and 26.3% of muscle cuts, each up slightly from the same period last year.
