America sees pork exports shrink sharply

In November, the United States exported 254 tons of pork, a 7% decrease year-over-year. The export value reached $720,8 million, an 8% decrease compared to November of the previous year. This made November the third strongest export month of 2025, both in terms of volume and value. For the period from January to November, US pork exports totaled 2,68 million tons, 3% below the record level of 2024. The total export value also fell by 3% to $7,65 billion. This decline is almost entirely attributable to lower export volumes of by-products to China. Exports of muscle parts declined by only 1%.

China puts pressure on sales
Meanwhile, exports to China remain under pressure due to retaliatory tariffs and weak demand. In November, export volume fell by 40% and value by 43%. For the first eleven months of the year, exports to China are down more than 20% compared to 2024. Despite this setback, the contribution of exports to total US pork production remained significant. In November, 31,6% of production was destined for export. The average export value per pig slaughtered for the first eleven months of the year remained virtually unchanged from last year's record level.

Mexico confirmed its position as the main export market in November. Exports rose by 11% to 111,207 tons, while the value increased by 9% to $246,9 million. Over the first eleven months of 2025, export volume to Mexico was 7% above last year's record pace, with a value increase of 11%. However, the strong exports are not an unqualified success story. The Mexican government has launched an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into American hams and shoulders, in anticipation of the revision of the USMCA trade agreement. Central America also remains a market to watch. Although volume fell slightly in November, the export value increased by 9%.