After softening modestly in June, pork exports to leading market Mexico roared back in July at $244.5 million – up 29% from a year ago and the highest on record, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Export volume was also outstanding, climbing 24% to 100,577 mt. January-July exports are on a record pace, climbing 8% above last year at 663,777 mt, while export value jumped 15% to $1.45 billion. Mexico’s hog price surged in July and limited domestic availability contributed to the large increase in demand for US pork.

Pork exports to Colombia are also on a record pace, with July shipments climbing 11% from a year ago to 8,570 mt, valued at $24.8 million (up 16%). Through July, exports to Colombia increased 29% in volume (65,497 mt) and 40% in value ($182.3 million). This performance comes despite persistent technical obstacles for meat shipments to Colombia, which were recently addressed in seminars held in Bogota and Cartagena. More details on these outreach efforts are available here.

Led by an exceptionally strong year-over-year increase in Honduras, July pork exports to Central America climbed 18% to 10,790 mt, valued at $34.9 million (up 28%). With shipments trending higher to every market in the region and on a record pace to Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua, January-July exports to Central America increased 20% from a year ago to 85,322 mt, while value soared 31% to $266 million.