US pork exports reached 208,095 mt in July, down 6% from a year ago, valued at $625 million (down 5%), according to a report from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For January through July, exports were 17% below last year at just under 1.5 million mt, valued at $4.24 billion (down 15%).

Exports to Mexico, the top market for US pork, remain well above last year’s record pace, while shipments to Colombia, the Caribbean and South Korea continued to strengthen in July.

Exports to China/Hong Kong were lower than a year ago in July but posted the largest volume since September and the highest value in 12 months.

“July pork exports were below last year but the good news is that the per-unit price of U.S. pork is trending higher in the international marketplace, even while our major competitors’ prices remain below year-ago levels,” USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom said. “Export value per head in July reached $67.10, nearly even with year-ago and the highest since last July. We are also encouraged by the recent trendlines for pork variety meat exports, especially to China and Mexico.”