US June pork exports were lower year-over-year, shipments through the first half of the year remained ahead of the record value pace of 2023, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

June pork exports totalled 224,392 mt, down 9% from a year ago and the lowest since September, while export value fell 5% to $659.7 million. However, January-June volume still reached 1.52 million mt, 3% above the first half of 2023, while export value increased 5% to $4.26 billion.

“June was a slower month in a few of our key destinations for U.S. pork, including Mexico and Colombia, where exports have been on a blistering pace and buying accelerated again in July,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “But June was another terrific month for US pork in Korea, where exports could be record-large this year. Shipments also trended higher year-over-year to Central America and Canada, and it was encouraging to see export value per head slaughtered hold firm in the $66 range.”