Record demand in Mexico and strong global sales support US pork trade growth
U.S. pork exports showed strong performance in 2025, reaching one of the highest annual levels on record, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Although export volume and value were slightly lower than the record set in 2024, the year still marked a major success for the pork industry.
In December, pork exports totaled 257,846 metric tons. This was slightly lower than the same period a year earlier, but it remained at the third-largest monthly volume of the year. Export value reached $746 million, also ranking as the third highest monthly value of 2025. These results show that global demand for U.S. pork remained stable and competitive.
“Last year was outstanding for U.S. pork, especially in our Western Hemisphere markets,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Demand in these destinations has maintained multi-year momentum, and duty-free access to our FTA partner countries is a foundational factor in this growth. We are hopeful that current trade negotiations will not only maintain this access but remove barriers for U.S. pork in other markets.”
Mexico continued to be the leading market for U.S. pork, reaching near-record monthly shipment levels in December. Strong demand was also seen in Central America and the Caribbean, where exports reached annual highs.
Additional growth came from markets such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and several ASEAN countries. These regions helped balance declines in other markets and supported overall export stability.
For the full year, total U.S. pork exports reached 2.94 million metric tons. While this represented a small decline from the 2024 record, it still ranked as the third-largest export volume ever recorded. Export value totaled $8.4 billion, making it the second highest annual value in history.
Industry leaders noted that strong trade relationships and duty-free access through free trade agreements played an important role in maintaining export momentum. Continued cooperation and reduced trade barriers are expected to help strengthen future growth opportunities.
Overall, 2025 was an outstanding year for U.S. pork exports. Strong demand across the Western Hemisphere and stable performance in key global markets helped the industry maintain high export levels, supporting producers and strengthening the global presence of U.S. pork.
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