U.S. pork exports on robust pace through April

Pork exports totaled 257,212 metric tons (mt) in April, 8% (and nearly 20,000 mt) above last year, while value increased 6% to $718.1 million. April’s strong performance reflected growth in Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America, and the Philippines. For China and Canada, exports were significantly higher than the low volumes posted a year ago.

For January through April, pork exports were 4% above the 2025 pace in both volume (1.04 million mt) and value ($2.89 billion). Export value was slightly above the total posted in the first four months of 2024, when exports went on to set an annual value record.

Pork exports to leading market Mexico, which are on a record pace in 2026, were robust again in April at 94,538 mt, up 3% from a year ago, while value climbed 7% to $211.4 million. January-April exports totaled 403,675 mt, up 5% year-over-year, valued at just under $900 million (up 8%). These results include a 6% increase in pork variety meat shipments, which reached 58,713 mt through April, valued at $104.3 million (up 8%).

The rebound in Japan’s demand for U.S. pork continued in April, with exports reaching 32,682 mt, up 9% year-over-year, valued at $122.1 million (up 3%). Through April, pork exports to Japan were 17% above last year’s pace at 123,458 mt, with value up 11% to $467.9 million, closely approaching levels from the same period in 2024. Exports to Japan have been above year-ago levels for the last five months.

April pork exports to the Dominican Republic soared 57% above last year at 11,622 mt (following a strong month in March when volume neared 12,500 mt), while value increased 51% to $33.7 million. This was the second highest monthly value on record, following a record March total of nearly $36 million. For January through April, pork exports to the DR were 38% above last year’s pace at 41,606 mt, while value increased 35% to $121.1 million.

Led by robust growth in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and El Salvador, pork exports to Central America are on a record pace in 2026. April exports increased 10% year-over-year to 17,264 mt, while value climbed 19% to $58.9 million. Through April, shipments to the region were up 8% to 65,554 mt, valued at $217.6 million (up 14%).

April pork exports to China, which are primarily variety meat, reached 35,136 mt, up 33% from last year’s minimal volume, while value was up 15% to $74.4 million. For January through April, exports to China pulled nearly even with last year’s pace at 139,915 mt (down 1%), while value was still down 13% to $297.3 million.