Pork exports steady in September amid China tensions - USMEF
Mexico demand offsets lower volumes, USMEF data show
18 December 2025
1 minute read
By: USDA has released red meat export data for September, which was delayed due to the recent government shutdown. As compiled by USMEF, September data showed a fairly steady performance for US pork exports, matching year-ago value while down slightly in volume.
“We are encouraged by the robust and resilient global demand for US pork – especially in Mexico, but also in a broad range of international markets,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The situation is obviously much more challenging on the beef side, primarily due to the ongoing impasse with the Chinese government, which continues to ignore its commitments under the US-China Phase One Agreement. US industry losses continue to mount as a result of this lockout, and relief simply cannot come soon enough.”
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is conducting a Section 301 investigation of China’s implementation of the US-China Economic and Trade Agreement, popularly known as the Phase One Agreement, with a public hearing set for Tuesday, Dec. 16. USMEF submitted comments to USTR detailing China’s failure to meet its Phase One commitments on red meat trade.
Pork exports totalled 233,816 metric tons (mt) in September, down 2% from a year ago. Export value was steady at $683.9 million, highlighted by the highest value on record for Mexico (nearly $260 million). The value of pork muscle cut exports trended higher in September ($586.2 million, up 1%), but pork variety meat exports declined, due in part to China’s retaliatory tariffs. Excluding China, September pork and pork variety meat exports were 4% above last year.
Through the first three quarters of the year, pork exports were 3% below the record pace of 2024 in both volume (2.16 million mt) and value ($6.16 billion), and down just 1% when excluding China. Exports to leading market Mexico, and to Central America, are poised to reach new annual highs. January-September shipments also increased year-over-year to Colombia, the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
