U.S. November pork exports below year-ago levels

Exports of U.S. pork totaled 254,085 metric tons (mt) in November, down 7% from a year ago but the third largest of 2025. Exports were valued at $720.8 million, down 8% year-over-year but also the third highest of 2025. November exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic and were record-large to Guatemala, but these results were offset by lower shipments to China, Japan, Canada, and Colombia.

For January through November, pork exports totaled 2.68 million mt, down 3% from the record pace of 2024, while value also fell 3% to $7.65 billion. With most of this decline being due to lower variety meat shipments to China, where U.S. pork faces retaliatory duties, January-November exports of pork muscle cuts were just 1% below 2024’s record pace in both volume (2.19 million mt) and value ($6.57 billion).

After posting a record performance in October, pork exports to leading market Mexico were again outstanding in November, climbing 11% year-over-year to 111,207 mt. Export value increased 9% to $246.9 million – the sixth highest on record. Through the first 11 months of 2025, exports to Mexico were 7% above the record pace of 2024 at 1.12 million mt, while value increased 11% to $2.58 billion. U.S. pork faces potential obstacles in the months ahead as the Mexican government conducts an antidumping and anti-subsidy investigation on U.S. hams and shoulders, during the USMCA review period ahead of renewal this summer.

Although November pork exports to Central America were down slightly year-over-year in volume (18,760 mt, down less than 1%), export value still increased 9% to $64.5 million. November exports were highlighted by another record performance from Guatemala, where shipments totaled 4,578 mt (up 19%) valued at $15.9 million (up 30%). With one month to spare, January-November exports to Central America already achieved annual records, reaching 167,871 mt (up 17% year-over-year) valued at $545.4 million (up 21%). Exports to Guatemala (40,436 mt, up 28%) already exceed the 2024 record by more than 5,600 mt.

U.S. pork continued to build momentum in Korea in November, with exports climbing 16% from a year ago to 16,580 mt, valued at $51.7 million (up 7%). After a slow first half in 2025, pork exports to Korea have trended higher year-over-year for five consecutive months, but January-November exports were still down 4% in volume (187,625 mt) and 10% in value ($604.9 million).

November pork exports to Japan totaled 24,411 mt, down 12% from a year ago, while value fell 17% to $95.8 million. Through the first 11 months of 2025, exports to Japan were 8% lower year-over-year in volume (286,494 mt) and 11% lower in value ($1.14 billion).

Retaliatory duties and sluggish overall demand continue to weigh on U.S. pork exports to China, which are primarily variety meat. November exports totaled 26,639 mt, down 40% from a year ago, while value fell 43% to just $61 million. Through November, exports to China were down 22% year-over-year in volume (334,488 mt) and 23% lower in value $782.9 million.