November pork exports from the US to leading market Mexico totalled 99,849 mt, the fourth highest this year and nearly matching the very strong volume from a year ago, while export value increased 2% to $225.7 million, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service transitioned to electronic export certificates for Mexico on Nov. 4, leading to delays for some shipments, but November volumes confirm these obstacles were temporary.
January-November exports to Mexico were 5% above the record pace of 2023 (when exports increased by 14% over 2022) at 1.05 million mt. Export value climbed 10% to $2.33 billion – only slightly below the full-year value record ($2.35 billion) posted in 2023.
Pork exports to Colombia were record-large in November, climbing 19% from a year ago in volume (14,471 mt) and 23% in value ($42.1 million). With one month to spare, exports to Colombia already set annual records, soaring 29% to 114,619 mt and exceeding the previous full-year high of 106,456 mt reached in 2021. Export value jumped 36% to $329.4 million, topping the previous full-year record ($272 million) from 2023.
Despite modestly lower shipments to leading markets Honduras and Guatemala, November pork exports to Central America still increased 14% from a year ago to 18,896 mt and climbed 15% in value to $59 million. Shipments were record-high to Nicaragua, El Salvador and Belize and were the second largest on record to Costa Rica. Through November, exports to the region already exceeded previous full-year highs for volume and value, both of which were reached in 2023. January-November shipments increased 20% to 143,131 mt, valued at just under $450 million (up 28%).
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