US pork exports to South Korea recover in late 2025 but remain below previous year

USA – Exports of pork from the United States to South Korea accelerated during the latter half of 2025 after a subdued opening to the year, according to year-end statistics released by the US Department of Agriculture and analysed by the US Meat Export Federation.

The data show that shipments increased on a year-on-year basis for six consecutive months during the second half of the year, signalling a steady recovery in demand from one of the United States’ largest overseas markets.

Even with that improvement, overall export performance for the year remained below the previous year’s levels, with total pork shipments to South Korea reaching 206,631 metric tons, representing a 4% decline compared with 2024.

Export earnings from the Korean market also slipped from the prior year’s peak, with the value of shipments falling 8% to US$667.1 million.

Oceania trade expansion

Earlier reports had indicated that US pork exports to Oceania were expanding, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, where April shipments rose sharply compared with the same month a year earlier.

During that month, exports to the region totalled 8,950 metric tons, marking a 33% increase from the previous year while generating US$31.1 million in export revenue, according to figures from the US Meat Export Federation compiled from US Department of Agriculture data.

That upward trend continued through the first four months of the year as combined shipments to Oceania climbed to 37,221 metric tons, more than twice the volume recorded during the same period in the previous year.

The value of those exports also expanded significantly, rising 103% to reach US$132.9 million during the January to April period.

Industry data indicated that the rise in demand had begun during the second quarter of 2023, which means year-on-year comparisons for 2024 are expected to moderate once export figures are measured against stronger performance recorded between April and December of the previous year.

Malaysia market outreach

At the same time, promotional campaigns in Malaysia have sought to introduce US pork products to chefs, restaurant operators and retail buyers among the country’s non-Muslim population who consume pork.

As part of the campaign, the US Meat Export Federation collaborated with the World Master Chefs for Cantonese Cuisine to include US pork in a Malaysian culinary contest for the first time.

Contest organisers selected US pork shoulder butt as one of the proteins for the competition, with ingredients assigned to chefs through a random draw.

Among the 25 participating chefs, three chose to cook with US pork and the dishes prepared with the product received two Distinction Gold awards and one Gold award.

Event organisers also hosted a dedicated booth where chefs, judges and visiting culinary professionals were able to examine different US pork cuts and related products during the competition.

Funding for these promotional activities was provided by the National Pork Board together with the Market Access Program administered by the US Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the Office of the United States Trade Representative confirmed that the United States and Malaysia have concluded a reciprocal trade arrangement that will adjust tariffs applied to certain pork products.

Under the agreement, Malaysia will maintain mostly zero tariffs on US pork while lowering the duty on pork sausages from 15% to 10% once the arrangement takes effect.

The deal also removes the existing 10% tariff on other sausage varieties and eliminates a separate 10% duty on additional processed pork products entering the Malaysian market.

These tariff changes are expected to make it easier for US exporters to increase shipments as Malaysia’s pork market continues to expand.

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