US pork exports to Mexico stay strong despite slowdown - USMEF

Oct 06, 2025

July was another strong month for US pork exports to leading destination Mexico, even though shipments were below the massive year-ago totals, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Exports totalled 92,524 mt, down 8% year-over-year, while value reached $228.4 million – down 7% from a year ago but still the second highest this year (after the near-record in June) and the sixth highest on record. Mexico accounted for 10.9% of US pork muscle cut production in July and from January through July, up from 10.6% in the same period last year.

Through July, exports to Mexico were 2% above last year’s record pace at 678,815 mt, while value increased 6% to $1.53 billion.

Fuelled by surging demand in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama, pork exports to Central America are also on a record pace in 2025. July shipments to the region climbed 35% from a year ago to 14,563 mt, while value increased 36% to $47.4 million. July shipments were the third highest on record to both Costa Rica and El Salvador. Through July, exports to Central America jumped 22% in volume (103,823 mt) and 24% in value ($329.4 million).

Demand for US pork continues to expand in Colombia, where July exports reached 9,839 mt – up 15% from a year ago – while value increased 8% to $26.9 million. January-July shipments to Colombia were 16% above last year’s record pace at 76,289 mt, with value climbing 19% to $217.4 million.

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Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.