US pork exports hit near-record highs in March - USMEF
Q1 volume and value both up 3% as Mexico and Asia demand grows
19 May 2026
1 minute read
By: March exports of US pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Pork exports totalled 285,567 metric tons (mt) in March, up 6% from a year ago, the largest in five years and the third largest on record. Export value increased 4% to $803.2 million, the second highest on record, trailing only April 2021. March exports increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Shipments were steady to South Korea and Canada. March was an outstanding month for export value per head slaughtered, which was the third highest on record at $72.93.
Through the first quarter, pork exports were 3% above last year’s pace in both volume (778,939 mt) and value ($2.17 billion). Exports are on a record pace to Mexico and Central America.
“The sustained momentum for US pork exports is impressive in the Western Hemisphere, but it is also encouraging to see demand climbing in key Asian markets, led by a welcome rebound in Japan,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom.
