American pork export decreases slightly

The American export of pork has slightly decreased compared to last year. In particular, a weak export to Mexico puts the market under pressure. Meanwhile, the export to Asia remained relatively strong. The American export of pork showed a slight decline in July compared to last year. According to figures from the USDA, compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the export volumes amounted to 238,922 tons. This is 1% less than a year earlier. The export value fell by 4% to $680.9 million, partly due to a price drop of 10% on by-products due to Chinese import tariffs. In the first seven months of 2025, pork exports are 4% below last year's record pace, both in volume and value. Up to July, 1.69 million tons were exported with a total value of $4.8 billion. Mexico remains an important destination The decline is largely attributed to a weaker export to Mexico. The export amounted to 92,524 tons, 8% less than last year. In value, this amounted to $228.4 million, 7% lower than in 2024. Nevertheless, the export was still the second highest this year. Mexico remains, in that month, and in the first seven months of the year, the main buyer of American pork. The demand for American pork in Central America, on the other hand, continues to grow strongly. In July, the export to the region increased by 35% compared to last year, reaching 14,563 tons, with a value of $47.4 million, an increase of 36%. For both Costa Rica and El Salvador, the shipments in July were the third highest ever. Over the first seven months of 2025, the export to Central America amounted to 103,823 tons (+22%), with a total value of $329.4 million (+24%). Export to Asia surprisingly strong Despite the tariff of 57%, the American export of pork to China remained stable in July compared to last year at 36,461 tons. However, the higher tariff, which was previously 37%, pressed the export value down by 13% to $77.6 million. In the first seven months of 2025, the export to China was 16% lower in volume (218,005 tons) and 17% lower in value ($513.3 million) due to the trade war earlier this year. The export to Japan showed a slight increase in volume in July to 26,629 tons, but the value decreased by 3% to $105.9 million. This is related to a shift in the product mix, with more frozen and less fresh pork being delivered. From January to July, the export volumes to Japan were 9% lower than last year (188,944 tons), while the value was 11% lower at $752.2 million. However, the American export of pork to South Korea showed a clear growth in July. The volume increased from 13,674 tons in July 2024 to 16,482 tons this year. The value also increased, from $49.2 million last year to $52.8 million in July 2025.