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USMEF: US pork exports rebounded in June

Pork

Exports of U.S. pork bounced back in June, finishing the first half of 2025 on a high note, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Posted on Aug 11 ,00:25

June pork exports totaled 239,304 metric tons (mt), up 7% from a year ago, while value increased 3.5% to $682.6 million. For the first half of the year, exports were down 4% from last year’s record pace at 1.46 million mt. Export value was $4.11 billion, down 3.5% from a year ago but still the third highest first-half total on record.

“We anticipated a June rebound for pork, following the de-escalation of trade tensions with China after the negotiations held in Geneva in May”, said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “China still tariffs most U.S. pork items at 57%, but at least the industry can move some pork variety meats at that rate. Elsewhere, June was another terrific month for U.S. pork in Mexico and demand was outstanding in Central America and Colombia. These critical free trade agreement partners continue to shine, as U.S. pork underpins consumption growth across the region”.

While USMEF remains hopeful that access to China will be restored soon, the current situation highlights the importance of diversification and further development of emerging markets such as Central America and Southeast Asia.

June pork highlights include value surge for Mexico, variety meat rebound

Leading market Mexico was the pacesetter for June pork exports at 102,750 mt, up 24% from a year ago. Export value soared 33% to $249.4 million – the second highest on record, trailing only December 2024. This included a 20% increase in muscle cuts to 85,709 mt, accounting for 12% of U.S. pork production for the month. These exports went at higher prices,  as value increased by one-third to $221 million. For the first half of 2025, Mexico accounted for nearly 11% of U.S. pork muscle cut production.

June shipments of pork variety meats to Mexico also increased sharply, up 44% to 17,041 mt, with value climbing 36% to $28.6 million. Pork and pork variety meat shipments to Mexico closed the first half at 586,291 mt, 4% above last year’s record pace, while value climbed 8% to $1.3 billion.

While June pork exports to China were modestly lower than a year ago – 33,735 mt, down 2% – volume was sharply higher than in May and well above the total posted in April. Although China’s tariffs were reduced in May from the prohibitive April rates, they remain well above normal levels. This is reflected in lower export prices, as June export value was $72.7 million, down 11% year-over-year. The June results included 23,778 mt of pork variety meat, which was steady with last year, while value was down 8% to $56.6 million. The rebound in China (compared to May) contributed greatly to a strong month for U.S. pork variety meat exports globally, with volume up 10% from a year ago to 49,494 mt, valued at $100.8 million (up 4%). In addition to Mexico, markets posting year-over-year gains for June variety meat exports included Central and South America, South Korea, Vietnam and Trinidad and Tobago.

Led by growth in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Costa Rica, June was another outstanding month for pork exports to Central America. Shipments climbed 32% from a year ago to 13,685 mt, while value increased 26% to $43.3 million. First-half pork shipments to the region totaled 89,260 mt, up 20% from last year’s record pace, while value climbed 22% $282.1 million.

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

• With demand climbing in Colombia’s retail and foodservice sectors, pork exports to Colombia have soared in 2025. June exports totaled 8,480 mt, up 11% from a year ago, valued at $31.3 million (up 20%). Through the first half of the year, shipments to Colombia were 17% above last year’s record pace at 66,450 mt, while value climbed 21% to $190.5 million.
• Surging demand in Cuba and larger shipments to the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago pushed June pork exports to the Caribbean to 10,237 mt, up 22% from a year ago, while value increased 21% to $31.3 million. First-half exports to the Caribbean increased 5% from a year ago in value ($192.6 million), despite a slight decline in volume (63,305 mt, down 1%).
• Although June pork exports trended lower to the ASEAN region, Vietnam emerged as a bright spot as shipments reached 1,246 mt, up 760% from last year’s minimal volume and the highest since 2020. Export value climbed 340% to $1.7 million. First-half exports to Vietnam were still down 9% year-over-year at 2,866 mt, valued at $4.6 million (down 25%). President Trump recently announced a trade deal with Vietnam, and it is essential that tariff and non-tariff barriers are eliminated in this highly competitive market,  where the U.S. is at a disadvantage to most competitors because of various trade agreements. Trade frameworks were also announced with the Philippines and Indonesia, but the details have yet to be finalized. There are also expectations of announcements for Thailand and Malaysia. First-half pork exports to the ASEAN region were just under 33,000 mt, down 17% from a year ago, while value fell 4% to $81.2 million.   
• The Trump administration also recently reached a trade deal with Japan, where first-half pork exports totaled 162,315 mt, down 11% from a year ago, valued at $646.3 million (down 12%). Japan’s duties have been eliminated on ground seasoned pork, canned hams and sausages. Tariffs are also being phased to zero for all processed products and for muscle cuts entering above the gate price of 524 yen/kg. These access terms were agreed in the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement under the first Trump administration, which ensured that U.S. pork was on a level playing field with Japan’s other major suppliers. This year Japan is importing more frozen and ground seasoned pork from the U.S., but less chilled pork, as importers continue to seek value options due to the relatively weak yen and lack of disposable income growth.
• A trade deal was also recently announced with Korea, where first-half pork exports were down 13% from a year ago to 117,823 mt, valued at $379.2 million (down 17%). U.S. pork enters Korea at zero duty under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Most major pork suppliers also have duty-free access to Korea, although  Brazil and Mexico are notable exceptions.
• Pork export value equated to $68.49 per head slaughtered in June, up 3% from a year ago, while the January-June average was down 2% to $65.07. Exports accounted for 31.3% of total June pork production and 26.7% for muscle cuts, each up about 1.5 percentage points from a year ago. The January-June ratios were 29.6% of total production and 26.1% for muscle cuts, down from 30.5% and 26.3%, respectively, in the first half of 2024.  

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