US pork exports to Mexico, Central America shine - USMEF
Shipments decline to Japan, Korea
19 March 2025
2 minute read
By: Coming off a monster year in which shipments topped $2.5 billion in value for the first time, pork exports to Mexico continued to climb in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Exports increased 2% from a year ago to 104,502 mt, the fourth highest on record, while value jumped 7% to $222 million. Mexico accounts for about half of US ham production and more than 10% of total US pork production, and it is the second largest destination for US pork variety meat, trailing only China.
US pork’s presence in Mexico continues to expand even as it faces heightened competition from Brazil. Capitalizing on temporary duty-free access, the Brazilian industry shipped about 43,000 mt of pork to Mexico in 2024, capturing 3% market share. Mexico’s pork imports from Canada, Chile and Europe also currently enter at zero duty.
Pork exports to Central America were also record-large in 2024 and did not miss a beat in January. Fuelled by robust growth in top markets Honduras and Guatemala and sharply higher shipments to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, exports to the region soared 22% from a year ago in volume (14,510 mt) and 30% in value ($46.5 million).
Consumer education programs and seminars, most of which focus on the loin, have helped position US pork as a versatile, center-of-the-plate protein enjoyed by a rapidly growing number of Central American households.
Also on the heels of a record year, pork exports to New Zealand raced to a rapid start with January exports jumping 71% from a year ago to 1,063 mt, valued at just under $4 million (up 67%). With exports also increasing modestly to Australia, January exports to Oceania were up 7% in volume (10,369 mt) and 4% in value ($36.8 million).
