US pork exports to Mexico remain on record pace through April
Exports to Japan and the Dominican Republic also post strong gains during the first four months of 2026.
USA – US pork exports to Mexico reached 403,675 metric tonnes during the first four months of 2026, a 5% increase from the same period last year, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
The value of those shipments totalled just under US$900 million, placing exports on track for a record year if current trends continue.
April exports to Mexico amounted to 94,538 metric tonnes, up 3% year on year, while export value increased 7% to US$211.4 million.
Pork variety meat exports also grew, with shipments reaching 58,713 metric tonnes through April, up 6% from the previous year.
The value of variety meat exports to Mexico reached US$104.3 million during the four-month period.
However, USMEF said trade data for May is expected to reflect disruptions after Mexico suspended imports of pork skins, fat, feet and other offal products following the detection of pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibodies in US hogs.
The restrictions were initially applied nationwide before being narrowed on June 8 to products sourced from hog farms in Iowa and Texas.
USMEF said it expects further discussions once additional testing is completed and the US Department of Agriculture submits a final report to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Japan and Dominican Republic record strong demand
Demand for US pork in Japan continued to recover in April, with exports rising 9% year on year to 32,682 metric tonnes.
The value of April shipments to Japan reached US$122.1 million, while exports for the January to April period increased 17% to 123,458 metric tonnes.
Export value to Japan during the four-month period climbed 11% to US$467.9 million, marking the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
Meanwhile, exports to the Dominican Republic surged 57% in April to 11,622 metric tonnes, generating US$33.7 million in export value.
The April figure represented the second-highest monthly export value on record after March, when shipments approached US$36 million.
For the first four months of 2026, exports to the Dominican Republic reached 41,606 metric tonnes, up 38% from the previous year.
The value of those exports rose 35% year on year to US$121.1 million, reflecting continued demand growth in the Caribbean market.
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