US pork exports to leading market Mexico remain on a record pace, with August shipments up 4% from a year ago to 94,935 mt, while value climbed 9% to $230.6 million, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For January through August, exports to Mexico were 8% above last year’s pace in volume (758,712 mt) and 14% higher in value ($1.68 billion).

Pork export value to South America reached a record high in August at $45.3 million, up 97% from a year ago. Export value to Colombia surged to a record $39.6 million, more than doubling from a year ago and up 16% from the previous high in November 2023. Export volume to the region climbed 83% to 14,961 mt, the highest in nine months, with Colombia reaching the second largest total on record at 13,341 mt. January-August exports to South America climbed 27% from a year ago in volume (89,341 mt) and 36% in value ($263.2 million).

Soaring demand in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama, as well as steady growth in leading markets Honduras and Guatemala, delivered another impressive month for U.S. pork in Central America. August exports to the region increased 31% from a year ago to 11,417 mt, valued at $36 million (up 38%). With January-August shipments trending higher year-over-year to all seven Central American markets, exports to the region increased 22% to 96,739 mt, while value climbed 32% to $302 million. Shipments to Costa Rica (12,464 mt) have already matched the full-year record volume achieved in 2023.