U.S. pork exports rise in first quarter as beef shipments decline amid lower production
U.S. beef production fell 4% in 2025 as cattle supplies tightened and imports moved toward record levels.
USA – U.S. pork exports posted year-on-year growth in March and closed the first quarter on one of the strongest performances recorded, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The federation’s President and CEO, Dan Halstrom, said March pork shipments increased in several destinations, including Mexico, Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan, with Mexico and Central America continuing to register record demand during the opening quarter of the year.
Through the first three months of 2026, U.S. pork exports climbed 3% compared to the same period in 2025 to reach 778,939 metric tons, while export value also rose 3% to US$2.17 billion.
Meanwhile, March beef exports totalled 97,731 metric tons, representing an 11% decline from the previous year, while export value dropped 8% to US$844.7 million as reduced shipments to China, Japan and the Middle East outweighed gains recorded in other regions.
Although beef exports to Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Indonesia increased from a year earlier, shipments to South Korea and Taiwan remained largely unchanged, according to the federation.
Lower production levels
Separately, total U.S. red meat production in 2025 reached about 53.8 billion pounds, which was 2% lower than 2024 levels due to reduced slaughter volumes across both cattle and hog operations despite heavier average animal weights.
Beef production declined 4% year-on-year to 26.1 billion pounds after commercial cattle slaughter fell 6% to 29.8 million head, while average cattle weights increased by 33 pounds to 1,432 pounds.
Pork production also recorded a decline, although at a slower pace, with output slipping 1% to 27.6 billion pounds as commercial hog slaughter dropped 1% to 128 million head.
In contrast, average hog weights increased slightly to 289 pounds.
Industry data also indicated that U.S. beef imports are projected to exceed 6 billion pounds in 2026 for the first time, marking an expected 11.7% increase from 2025 levels as domestic cattle inventories remain at their lowest point in more than 70 years.
Retail beef prices continued to rise during the period, with ground beef prices moving above US$6 per pound, while producers faced increasing production costs and pressure on profit margins despite elevated consumer prices.
The export outlook for 2026 points to lower beef shipments than the high levels seen in 2025, although demand in key overseas markets such as South Korea and Japan is expected to remain strong.
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