U.S. March pork exports above year-ago levels

March pork exports increased 3% year-over-year to 269,344 mt, valued at $769.7 million (up 4%). First-quarter exports were slightly above last year’s record value pace at $2.11 billion, but slightly lower in volume (754,488 mt).

March was another spectacular month for U.S. pork exports to Mexico, which increased 14% from a year ago to 96,723 mt. Export value soared 19% to $213.1 million – the ninth consecutive month that value has exceeded $200 million. Through the first quarter, pork exports to Mexico topped last year’s record pace by 5% at 294,403 mt, with value climbing 11% to $637.7 million.

Fueled by monthly records for Honduras and Guatemala, March pork exports to Central America increased 21% from a year ago to 16,493 mt, while value increased 22% to $51.8 million. First-quarter shipments to the region were 20% above last year’s record pace at 45,167 mt, valued at $141.7 million (up 23%). First-quarter exports established a record volume pace to Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

After a slow start in 2025, March pork exports to Colombia surged to the second highest monthly volume on record, climbing 39% from a year ago to 14,342 mt, while export value soared 44% to $41.3 million. First-quarter shipments to Colombia climbed 4% above last year’s record pace at 33,264 mt, while value increased 9% to $96 million.

Although March pork exports to South Korea were well below the enormous totals posted a year ago, the market actually achieved a significant rebound. March shipments to Korea totaled 23,882 mt, down 13% year-over-year but the largest since April. While export value declined 15% to $77.4 million, this was the highest total since May. First-quarter exports to Korea totaled 58,214 mt, which was down 16% from last year’s pace when exports were the highest since 2018. Value fell 18% to $186.7 million.

March pork exports to China/Hong Kong were steady with last year in volume at 41,000 mt, while value increased 3% to $99.1 million. For the first quarter, exports to the region increased 3% to 117,087 mt, with value up 7% to $284.6 million. Variety meat exports to China accounted for about two-thirds of this total (77,440 mt, valued at $190.6 million), as China is the leading destination for U.S. pork variety meat. Production of pork variety meats for China has now mostly stopped due to prohibitive duties. While the U.S. industry has made it a priority to diversify markets for pork variety meat, China’s demand cannot be fully replaced.

U.S. pork is performing well in the Philippines, where domestic pork production has been heavily impacted by African swine fever. March shipments to the Philippines increased 9% from a year ago to 5,050 mt, while value climbed 26% to $11.6 million. First-quarter exports increased 15% to 12,821 mt, while value climbed 39% to $29.5 million.