US pork exports to China/Hong Kong gain momentum - USMEF
Exports climbed 6% from a year ago
25 March 2025
1 minute read
By: Although well below the volumes seen earlier this decade, pork exports to China/Hong Kong gained momentum in the second half of 2024 and continued to trend higher in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Exports climbed 6% from a year ago to 37,596 mt, while value increased 9% to $92.3 million. This included more than 14,000 mt of muscle cuts, up 59% from a year ago, valued at $33.8 million (up 61%).
Similar to beef, pork exporters serving China face uncertainty about their eligibility after mid-March.
China is the largest destination for US pork variety meat, taking 322,000 mt last year, and no alternative market can approach this volume at the price Chinese buyers pay.
US pork will also face heightened retaliatory duties effective March 10, when China’s effective tariff rate will increase from 37% to 47% (a combination of the 12% most favored nation rate + a 25% Section 232 metal tariff retaliation from 2018 + a new 10% duty).
