Exports of U.S. pork trended lower in May

May pork exports totaled 224,162 metric tons (mt), down 11% from a year ago, while value fell 10% to $646.5 million. These were the lowest monthly totals since September 2023. Through the first five months of the year, exports were down 6% in volume (1.22 million mt) and 5% in value ($3.43 billion) compared to the record pace of 2024.

May pork export value equated to $62.18 per head slaughtered, down 8% from a year ago. Exports to China accounted for less than $2, compared to about $8.50 in May 2024. The January-May average was $64.32, down 3% from the same period last year. Exports accounted for 27.8% of total May pork production, down significantly from the year-ago ratio of 30.7%. The percentage of muscle cuts exported was also down, but not as severely: 25.9% compared to 26.5% a year ago. For January through May, exports accounted for 29.3% of total pork production, down from 30.7% a year ago. For muscle cuts, the percentage of production exported was down one-half percentage point to 26%.

May results for U.S. pork exports include:

• Mexico: Pork exports to leading market Mexico performed well in May, climbing 7% from a year ago to 97,697 mt. Demand for U.S. pork continues to thrive in Mexico, even as competition in the market heightens. While Mexico has not imposed any retaliatory measures against U.S. products, the potential for retaliation is looming as a 21% antidumping duty on tomatoes imported from Mexico is set to take effect July 14. Mexico has not published a retaliation list, but President Claudia Sheinbaum has identified U.S. pork as a possible target.
• Central America: Outstanding growth in Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica pushed May pork exports to 14,764 mt, up 26% from a year ago, while value also soared 26% to $47.7 million.
• Colombia: pork exports to Colombia continued to gain momentum in May, climbing 31% to 12,627 mt. This was the fifth largest monthly export volume to Colombia and the third consecutive month exports have exceeded 12,000 mt. May export value increased 32% to just over $35 million.
• Pork exports to China, which are mainly variety meat, dropped to just 6,720 mt in May, down 82% from a year ago, while value fell 77% to $20.7 million. Through May, exports to China were down 22% from a year ago to 148,304 mt, valued at $363 million (down 18%). This trend is not likely to improve until tariff rates stabilize at more reasonable and predictable levels and exporters regain confidence in the long-term business climate in China.
• Caribbean: Fueled by continued growth in Cuba, May pork exports to the Caribbean reached 11,263 mt, up 6% from a year ago, while value climbed 12% to $32.3 million. Shipments to Cuba more than tripled year-over-year to a record 1,760 mt, valued at just over $5 million (up 261%). May exports to the Dominican Republic were up slightly from a year ago in both volume (7,845 mt) and value ($21.6 million).
• After a slow start to the year, pork exports to Japan have posted a modest rebound in recent months. May shipments to Japan totaled 30,104 mt, up slightly from a year ago, while value was down 4% to $117 million.
• May pork exports to South Korea totaled 20,323 mt, down 10% from a year ago, while value fell 17% to $65.6 million. For January through May, exports to Korea were 13% below last year’s pace at 102,491 mt, with value down 16% to $331.4 million. Korea’s overall imports are also below last year’s high levels. This is due in part to a first-quarter slump for the Korean won, which has begun to regain strength versus the U.S. dollar since Korea’s political situation stabilized with the election of a new president.