US pork exports to Taiwan surge on new trade deal despite slower April shipments

USA – US pork exports to Taiwan remained well ahead of last year’s pace during the first four months of 2026, despite a slowdown in April, reflecting the early impact of a bilateral trade agreement that expanded market access for American producers.

Data from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) showed shipments to Taiwan totalled 4,573 metric tonnes between January and April, representing a 53% increase compared with the same period in 2025 after exports had fallen to a relatively low level last year.

Export earnings from the market also rose during the four-month period, increasing 41% to US$10.8 million as stronger demand and improved trade conditions supported higher sales.

Although April exports were below the volume recorded in the same month last year, the strong performance during the opening quarter ensured shipments remained significantly above 2025 levels.

The momentum was largely driven by first-quarter exports, which more than doubled year on year to 3,585 metric tonnes, marking the highest quarterly shipment volume to Taiwan since 2019.

Export value during the first three months of the year climbed 87% from a year earlier to US$8.5 million, reflecting the effect of expanded access under the recently concluded bilateral trade agreement.

Trade agreement eases market access

The agreement addressed several long-standing trade barriers that had previously limited US pork exports to Taiwan by reducing both tariff and regulatory obstacles.

Among the changes, Taiwan cut tariffs on US pork by 50%, adopted Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limits for ractopamine, and replaced mandatory 100% batch-by-batch ractopamine inspections with a compliance-based inspection system.

Taiwan also agreed to recognise US processing facilities listed by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service without requiring additional bilateral certification audits, simplifying export procedures for US meat processors.

The stronger performance in Taiwan follows continued growth in another major export destination, with US pork exports to Mexico reaching 403,675 metric tonnes in the first four months of 2026, up 5% from the same period last year.

USMEF said exports to Mexico generated nearly US$900 million during the period, while April shipments rose 3% to 94,538 metric tonnes and were valued at US$211.4 million, up 7%.

However, the federation expects May trade figures to reflect disruptions after Mexico temporarily suspended imports of pork skins, fat, feet and other offal products following the detection of pseudorabies virus antibodies in US hogs, although the restrictions were later narrowed to products originating from farms in Iowa and Texas pending additional testing and a final report from the US Department of Agriculture to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

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