Year to date pork shipments stay ahead even as July exports decline
The U.S. pork industry experienced a mixed performance in July, as exports fell compared to the same month last year. Despite the monthly decline, the industry continued to maintain positive momentum, with export volume and value remaining higher for the first seven months of the year.
According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), July pork exports totaled 224,305 metric tons. This was 6% lower than July 2025. Export value also declined by 6%, reaching $641.8 million.
Several international markets continued to support demand for U.S. pork during the month. Exports to Japan, Central America, Colombia, and Canada increased compared to the previous year. These markets helped offset some of the challenges experienced elsewhere and demonstrated continued interest in U.S. pork products.
“Despite significant headwinds, global demand for U.S. beef remains impressively resilient,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Technical barriers and uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on exports to China, but we are hopeful that market access will be restored soon. In the meantime, U.S. beef is capitalizing on growth opportunities in Asian and Western Hemisphere markets, as well as in the Middle East.”
However, shipments to several major destinations declined. Exports to Mexico, China, South Korea, Oceania, and countries in the ASEAN region were lower than a year ago. Reduced shipments to these important markets weighed on overall export performance and contributed to the year over year decline recorded in July.
One of the key factors affecting pork exports earlier this year was the impact of restrictions linked to a finding of pseudorabies virus (PRV). Although those restrictions were lifted during July, their effects continued to influence trade activity for much of the month. Pork variety meats were especially affected, limiting export opportunities and slowing shipments.
The lifting of PRV-related restrictions was an important development for the U.S. pork sector. Industry leaders noted that the removal of these barriers allowed production and export activities to gradually return to normal. Mexico, one of the largest buyers of U.S. pork products, began to increase purchases again after the restrictions were removed.
Exporters also faced challenges in China, where increased inspections of U.S. pork variety meats slowed the movement of products through ports. These additional inspections caused delays for exporters and affected trade flows during the month. Industry officials reported that these inspection hurdles were later removed, which could support stronger exports in the months ahead.
Despite the decline in export volume and value, pork exports continued to deliver strong returns for producers. Export value in July equated to $62.53 per head slaughtered. While this was below the level seen a year earlier, it was approximately $3 higher than the value recorded in June, indicating improved returns compared to the previous month.
The bigger picture remained encouraging. During the first seven months of the year, U.S. pork exports reached 1.73 million metric tons. This represented a 2% increase over the same period in 2025. Export value totaled $4.86 billion, which was 1% higher than last year.
Export value per head also remained slightly ahead of year-ago levels. From January through July, exports generated just over $66 per head slaughtered. This demonstrates the important role that export markets play in supporting profitability across the U.S. swine sector.
Global demand for pork continues to provide opportunities for U.S. producers, even when short-term trade disruptions occur. Strong demand from several international markets helped balance slower sales in other regions and contributed to positive year to date results.
Industry leaders remain optimistic about future export prospects. With PRV-related restrictions removed and inspection delays easing, exporters expect improved market access and smoother trade flows. Continued demand from key customers around the world could support export growth during the remainder of the year.
Although July brought temporary challenges, the overall performance of the U.S. pork industry remains positive. Higher year to date export volume and value show that global buyers continue to view U.S. pork as a reliable source of high-quality products. As trade conditions improve, the industry is well positioned to build on its progress and maintain strong export performance throughout the rest of the year.
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