According to data released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the United States exported 245,900 metric tons of pork in May 2026, up 10% compared with the same month last year. Export value increased 8% to US$701 million.
However, USMEF noted that part of this growth reflects a low comparison base. In May 2025, US pork exports were heavily affected by trade tensions with China, when tariffs on US pork temporarily reached 172%.
This year, the most significant challenge came from Mexico's import restrictions introduced after antibodies to pseudorabies virus (PRV) were detected on April 30 in five boars in the US state of Iowa.
As a result, US exports of pork variety meats to Mexico fell to 3,200 metric tons, an 80% decline compared with the previous year. Total US pork variety meat exports exceeded 40,000 metric tons in May, but this was still the lowest monthly volume recorded in 2026. By comparison, shipments averaged nearly 49,000 metric tons per month between January and April.
At the same time, several export markets posted strong results. The United States recorded its largest pork shipments to Japan since 2021, while exports to Colombia and Central American countries also increased significantly. Export value per head slaughtered exceeded US$71.
During the first five months of 2026, US exports of pork and pork variety meats reached 1.28 million metric tons, up 5% year-on-year. Export value also increased 5%, reaching US$3.59 billion. Both volume and value remain less than 1% below the record pace set in 2024.
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom stressed that Mexico should fully remove its veterinary restrictions on imports of US pork offal and related products as soon as possible.
According to Halstrom, the current restrictions are costing the US pork industry millions of dollars every week, while also creating difficulties for Mexican customers, who are being forced to seek alternative products and suppliers.
Although Mexico partially eased the restrictions in early June by allowing pork offal imports from most US states, excluding certain affected areas, source verification requirements and Iowa's importance as the country's leading pork-producing state continue to create significant challenges for exporters.
PigUA.info, based on ThePigSite.com