July exports of U.S. pork were slightly below last year but accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Market access obstacles continued to weigh heavily on exports of U.S. beef, with the vast majority of plants still ineligible to ship to China.
Momentum continues for U.S. pork in Western Hemisphere markets
Pork exports totaled 238,922 metric tons, down just 1% from a year ago, while value fell 4% to $680.9 million, largely reflecting the 10% decline in pork variety meat prices due to China’s tariffs. July was another strong month for U.S. pork in leading destination Mexico, while exports increased year-over-year to Central America, Colombia, the Caribbean and the ASEAN region. Pork variety meat demand was strong in July, with exports posting the second largest volume this year.
Through the first seven months of 2025, pork exports were 4% below last year’s record pace in both volume (1.69 million mt) and value ($4.8 billion).
“While July exports to Mexico didn’t match the monster totals from a year ago, demand for U.S. pork remains very robust in our top market,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “July also saw great results in Central and South America, while volumes to the key Asian markets were largely steady with last year and pork variety meat volumes achieved broad-based growth.”
Bright spots for July beef exports include Korea, Caribbean, Central America
U.S. beef performed very well in July in leading market South Korea, as well as in the Caribbean, Central America, Chile, the Philippines and Africa. But with shipments to China nearly halted due to a lack of eligible plants, July beef exports were down 19% from a year ago to 89,579 mt, the lowest in five years. Export value declined 17% to $752.5 million, the lowest since January 2023.
From January through July, exports were 8% below last year in volume (691,800 mt) and down 7.5% in value ($5.67 billion).
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