US pork exports climb 3% in March - USMEF

March pork exports increased 3% year-over-year to 269,344 mt, valued at $769.7 million (up 4%), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). First-quarter exports were slightly above last year’s record value pace at $2.11 billion, but slightly lower in volume (754,488 mt).

"March was another spectacular month for US pork demand in Mexico and Central America, but exports also rebounded nicely to Colombia and Korea,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Duty-free access has helped fuel pork exports to these key markets, where we continue to see heightened competition."

Plant eligibility for China is less of an issue for US pork than for US beef, as China renewed most pork establishments in mid-March. But Halstrom cautioned that both pork and beef exports to China have since hit a wall due to China’s prohibitive duties, which now total 172% for US pork and 147% for US beef.

“Shipments already in the pipeline can still clear without the extra 125% tariff, provided they shipped before April 10 and arrive in China by May 13,” Halstrom explained. “But new business has been effectively halted until there is a de-escalation of the US-China trade impasse.”