US pork exports surge in Latin America - USMEF
Mexico tops $200 million for 8th straight month
18 April 2025
2 minute read
By: Although February pork exports to leading market Mexico saw a slight year-over-year decline in volume (93,178 mt, down 1%), value still climbed 7% to $202.6 million – the eighth consecutive month in which shipments to Mexico have topped $200 million, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Through February, pork exports to Mexico were slightly ahead of last year’s record pace in volume (197,680 mt, up 1%) and 7% higher in value ($424.6 million).
Demand for US pork in Central America continues to soar, with February exports up 16% from a year ago to 14,164 mt, while value climbed 18% to $43.3 million. February shipments to Guatemala were the second largest on record at 3,974 mt. These results pushed January-February exports 19% ahead of the record pace of 2024 at 28,674, with value up 24% to $89.9 million, led by robust growth in Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
February pork exports to China/Hong Kong were 5% higher than a year ago at 38,492 mt, while value was up 8% to $93.1 million. Through February, pork exports to China/Hong Kong were also 5% above last year at 76,088 mt, valued at $185.5 million (up 9%).
About two-thirds of the export volume to this region is pork variety meat, although those shipments fell 5% through February to just under 50,000 mt. As noted above, eligibility for export to China was recently renewed for a large number of U.S. pork plants, removing a potential obstacle. However, an additional 10% retaliatory duty on US pork entering China has been in place since March 10. This increased China’s effective tariff rate on U.S. pork to 47%, while most competitors’ products are tariffed at 12%. Effective April 10, China’s total tariff rate on US pork and pork variety meat is set to increase to 81%.
