In June, U.S. pork exports to Japan totalled 28,377 tonnes, up 8% from a year earlier. The value of shipments increased by 2% to $107.8 million.
Overall, U.S. pork exports reached 1.51 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, up 4% year on year. Export value increased by 3% to $4.22 billion.
However, June results were weaker: the United States exported 224,800 tonnes of pork, 6% less than in June 2025. The value of shipments fell by 9% to $624.5 million.
The main reason for the decline was a 21% drop in pork variety meat exports. In early May, Mexico and Colombia temporarily restricted imports due to requirements related to pseudorabies. The restrictions were lifted in early July in Colombia and in mid-July in Mexico.
According to USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom, the restoration of full access to these markets should have a positive impact on future shipments.
Central America and the Dominican Republic Increase Purchases
Strong growth was also recorded in Central American markets. In the first half of the year, U.S. pork exports to the region increased by 9% to 97,737 tonnes, while export value rose by 15% to $323.7 million.
The main drivers of growth were Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
By the end of the first half of the year, Central America had overtaken Canada to become the fifth-largest market for U.S. pork by volume.
Shipments to the Dominican Republic grew even faster, rising by 30% to 58,518 tonnes. Their value increased by 29% to $170.3 million.
Mexico Remains the Largest Market
Despite the temporary restrictions on variety meat, Mexico continues to be the largest buyer of U.S. pork.
In the first half of the year, shipments to Mexico totalled 576,465 tonnes, 2% below last year’s record level. Export value remained stable at around $1.3 billion.
In June, exports to Mexico fell by 11% to 91,743 tonnes, while their value declined by 15% to $212.1 million.
China Increases Purchases in the First Half of the Year
From January to June, U.S. pork exports to China increased by 15% to 208,333 tonnes. The value of shipments remained virtually unchanged at $434.5 million.
More than 70% of U.S. pork exports to China consist of variety meat.
In June, shipments to the Chinese market declined by 7% to 30,900 tonnes, while their value fell by 16% to $72.7 million.
Export growth was also recorded to Canada and Taiwan. In the first half of the year, Canada imported 91,300 tonnes of U.S. pork, 7% more than a year earlier. Shipments to Taiwan increased by 26% to 5,983 tonnes.
In the first half of 2026, exports accounted for 30.3% of total U.S. pork production, compared with 29.6% a year earlier.
PigUA.info, based on materials from euromeatnews.com