US pork exports to Mexico hit record for fifth year
Strong regional demand lifts shipments across Americas
12 March 2026
1 minute read
By: December was another remarkable month for US pork shipments to Mexico, which climbed 7% from a year ago to 113,819 mt, the second largest on record, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Export value reached $276 million – up 8%, also the second highest on record.
For the full year, exports to Mexico were record-large for the fifth consecutive year, topping previous highs by 7% in volume (1.236 million mt) and 10% in value ($2.85 billion). These results included more than 184,000 mt of pork variety meat (up 15% from 2024), valued at nearly $325 million (up 13%).
This increase in demand is especially important because US pork is subject to retaliatory duties in China, the primary destination for US pork variety meat.
As USMEF has previously reported, Mexico is currently conducting an antidumping and anti-subsidy investigation on US pork hams and shoulders. The US industry is participating in the investigation and will be submitting detailed information refuting the notion that these products – which are selling at strong prices driven by robust demand – are being dumped on the Mexican market.
Although December pork exports to Central America were lower year-over year, shipments to the region were still record-large in 2025. Fuelled by record performances in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, exports exceeded the previous (2024) record by 10% in volume (182,249 mt) and 13% in value ($592.7 million). Over the past five years, pork exports to Central America have climbed 84% in volume and 146% in value.
Strong demand in the Dominican Republic and Cuba pushed December pork exports to the Caribbean to 13,560 mt, up 31% from a year ago, while value soared 35% to $45.1 million. These results solidified full-year records for the region, as 2025 exports climbed 4% in volume (132,697 mt) and 10% in value ($417.7 million).
