June 26, 2026
 

US pork exports up 8% in April as Mexico, Japan and Philippines drive broad-based growth

April shipments of 257,212 metric tonnes valued at US$718.1 million put the US on pace for a strong 2026 export year, with four-month volumes tracking 4% above last year's record-setting pace.

US pork exports totalled 257,212 metric tonnes in April 2026, up 8% year-on-year, with export value increasing 6% to US$718.1 million, according to data compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) from USDA figures released on 10 June.

For the first four months of 2026, pork exports were 4% above the 2025 pace in both volume (1.04 million metric tonnes) and value (US$2.89 billion) — broadly in line with the first four months of 2024, when exports went on to set an annual value record. April's performance was driven by growth in leading market Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Philippines, with China and Canada also recovering from low volumes posted a year ago.

Mexico, which is on a record export pace in 2026, received 94,538 metric tonnes in April, up 3% year-on-year, with value climbing 7% to US$211.4 million. Japan shipments reached 35,448 metric tonnes, up 18% and the highest since 2021, while January-March exports to Japan climbed 20% to 90,776 metric tonnes valued at US$345.8 million. Pork exports to the Philippines reached 5,591 metric tonnes in April, up 26%, while value increased 3% to US$11.9 million. Four-month exports to the Philippines totalled 20,932 metric tonnes, up 21%, valued at US$44.3 million.

Within the ASEAN region, April pork exports grew 41% year-on-year to 20,781 metric tonnes, valued at US$51 million, led by the Philippines and supported by growth in Malaysia and Vietnam. Taiwan also showed strong recovery, with January-April shipments up 53% from last year's low level.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan results, combined with Mexico's record pace and steady Korean demand, position 2026 as a potentially outstanding year for US pork exports. He cautioned, however, that the April data does not yet reflect restrictions on pork variety meat items imposed in early May by Mexico and Colombia following findings of pseudorabies virus antibodies in five boars at a small operation in Iowa, though pork muscle cut exports have not been affected.

- USMEF