US pork exports to Mexico surge in November
Central America posts records as Korea gains momentum
17 February 2026
1 minute read
By: After posting a record performance in October, US pork exports to leading market Mexico were again outstanding in November, climbing 11% year-over-year to 111,207 mt, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Export value increased 9% to $246.9 million – the sixth highest on record. Through the first 11 months of 2025, exports to Mexico were 7% above the record pace of 2024 at 1.12 million mt, while value increased 11% to $2.58 billion.
As USMEF has previously reported, however, US pork faces potential obstacles in the months ahead as the Mexican government conducts an antidumping and anti-subsidy investigation on US hams and shoulders, during the USMCA review period ahead of renewal this summer.Responding to this investigation, as well as other regulatory challenges in Mexico, and continuing to aggressively position and promote US pork are essential to defending and expanding US share in this increasingly competitive market.
Although November pork exports to Central America were down slightly year-over-year in volume (18,760 mt, down less than 1%), export value still increased 9% to $64.5 million. November exports were highlighted by another record performance from Guatemala, where shipments totaled 4,578 mt (up 19%) valued at $15.9 million (up 30%). With one month to spare, January-November exports to Central America already achieved annual records, reaching 167,871 mt (up 17% year-over-year) valued at $545.4 million (up 21%). Exports to Guatemala (40,436 mt, up 28%) already exceed the 2024 record by more than 5,600 mt.
US pork continued to build momentum in Korea in November, with exports climbing 16% from a year ago to 16,580 mt, valued at $51.7 million (up 7%). After a slow first half in 2025, pork exports to Korea have trended higher year-over-year for five consecutive months, but January-November exports were still down 4% in volume (187,625 mt) and 10% in value ($604.9 million).
