Mexico, domestic demand prop up US pork in 2026 - CoBank
23 straight profitable months as China steps back for good
10 April 2026
1 minute read
By: China has largely pulled back as a major importer of US pork, instead becoming nearly 100% self-sufficient for its domestic pork needs since the outbreak of African Swine Fever in 2019, according to a recent CoBank report.
US producers continue to focus on both export opportunities outside of China and domestic market development after the pullback of Chinese purchases. During 2025 exports accounted for 25% of pork produced in the US, and 40% of US pork was exported to Mexico, our No. 1 customer.
A recent Farm Journal article suggests that the new pork campaign “Taste What Pork Can Do” is working. The campaign, focused on new flavours and opportunities to serve consumer needs, returned $83 in retail sales for every $1 of Checkoff investment through December 2025, according to Numerator. This investment in redesigning pork for domestic markets seems straight out of the beef playbook, which if successful, could lead to long-term structural support for pork. USMCA continues to serve as a catalyst for US pork exports to Mexico amidst foreign trade affair issues elsewhere.
With US pork finding favourable market conditions both at home and its closest trade allies, domestic hog and pork markets have remained in much better shape for producers compared to years prior. Iowa State University estimates suggest February marked the 23rd consecutive profitable month for farrow-to-finish margins. Domestic hog values were up about $10 per head year on year through mid-March. CoBank expects market improvements will remain encouraging to producers in the months ahead. However, the US pork sector remains less isolated than the other animal protein sectors from global market conditions, suggesting risk remains elevated.
