US pork sector riding strong run as China steps back from imports
Mexico fills gap as domestic campaign and steady margins lift producers
26 May 2026
1 minute read
By: China has largely withdrawn as a major importer of US pork, becoming nearly self-sufficient in domestic pork production since the African Swine Fever outbreak in 2019, according to CoBank's quarterly report. US producers have responded by focusing on export opportunities outside China and developing the domestic market. In 2025, exports accounted for 25% of US pork production, with 40% of those exports going to Mexico, the top customer.
On the domestic front, a new pork promotion campaign appears to be gaining traction. "Taste What Pork Can Do," focused on new flavours and consumer-oriented serving ideas, returned $83 in retail sales for every $1 of Checkoff investment through December 2025, according to market research firm Numerator. CoBank draws a parallel to the beef industry's domestic marketing playbook, suggesting the approach could provide long-term structural support for pork if it continues to succeed. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) continues to support US pork exports to Mexico amid trade uncertainties elsewhere.
Hog and pork markets have remained in strong shape for producers. Iowa State University estimates February marked the 23rd consecutive profitable month for farrow-to-finish margins, with domestic hog values up about $10 per head year-over-year through mid-March. CoBank expects market conditions to remain encouraging for producers in the months ahead, though it notes the US pork sector remains more exposed to global market conditions than other animal protein sectors, keeping risk elevated.
