U.S. pork exports rebound

After a difficult start to 2025, U.S. pork exports showed a clear recovery in June. Especially the strong demand in the main local markets contributed to the improved results. Exports to Asia are still lagging, but with the recently concluded trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, an impulse is expected in the short term. The export of U.S. pork clearly shows recovery in June, concluding the first half of 2025 on a strong note. In June, U.S. pork exports amounted to 239,304 tons, an increase of 7% compared to last year. The export value rose by 3.5% to $682.6 million. Over the first half of 2025, there is still a decrease of 4% observed due to the trade war with China compared to the record year 2024. The volume stood at 1.46 million tons. The value decreased by 3.5% to $4.11 billion, but this remains the third highest level ever for a first half of the year. Mexico again the main market Mexico led the list of markets for U.S. pork in June with 102,750 tons, an increase of 24% compared to last year. The export value surged by 33% to $249.4 million, the second highest level ever, only surpassed by December 2024. The export of muscle cuts increased by 20% to 85,709 tons, which is approximately equal to 12% of the monthly production. These also crossed the border at higher prices, driving the value up by a third to $221 million. In the first half of 2025, Mexico accounted for nearly 11% of U.S. production of meat cuts. Additionally, the export of by-products to Mexico showed a significant increase in June. The volume rose by 44% to 17,041 tons, while the value increased by 36% to $28.6 million. Together with pork exports, the total export to Mexico in the first half of 2025 reached 586,291 tons, 4% more than the record pace of last year. The value increased by 8% to $1.3 billion. Strong demand nearby U.S. pork exports to Central America experienced another strong month in June. Led by growth in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica, the volume increased by 32% to 13,685 tons. The value rose by 26% to $43.3 million. In the first half of 2025, exports to the region reached 89,260 tons, an increase of 20% compared to last year's record pace. The value increased by 22% to $282.1 million. The demand for U.S. pork is also growing strongly in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Colombia, exports in June rose by 11% to 8,480 tons, valued at $31.3 million (+20%). Over the first half of the year, the volume was 17% higher at 66,450 tons, with a value of $190.5 million (+21%). In the Caribbean, exports in June increased by 22% to 10,237 tons ($31.3 million), while the first half of 2025 showed a slight decline in volume (-1% to 63,305 tons), but an increase in value of 5% to $192.6 million. Exports to China rebound Exports to Asian markets remain weak in the meantime. U.S. pork exports to China in June stood at 33,735 tons, 2% lower than a year earlier, but significantly higher than in May and clearly above the level of April. The export value decreased by 11% to $72.7 million. This is a result of the trade policy. Import duties were lowered in May compared to the extremely high tariffs in April, but they remain above the normal level. This directly impacted prices. Of the total, 23,778 tons were by-products, similar to last year, although their value decreased by 8% to $56.6 million. Recently, the U.S. concluded a trade agreement with Japan and South Korea, which is likely to restore exports to these countries after a weak first half of the year. The export of pork in the first half of 2025 declined by 11% to 162,315 tons, valued at $646.3 million (-12%). In the first half of 2025, exports of U.S. pork to South Korea decreased by 13% to 117,823 tons, worth $379.2 million (-17%).