U.S. pork exports in March were the largest in almost two years

U.S. pork exports totaled 260,195 metric tons (t) in March, up 17% year-over-year and the ninth-highest volume on record. The EXPORT value was also the ninth highest at $724 million, up 18% from a year ago. These results rounded out a strong first quarter for US pork as exports reached 716,691 tons, up 14% from a year ago and valued at $1.96 billion (up 15%).

March exports to Mexico were 95,030 tons, up 15% from a year ago and the second highest on record (after January 2023), with a value up 31% to $195.7 million. Shipments to Mexico in the first quarter rose by 11% to 270,056 tons, while the value increased by 34% to $541.7 million.

Pork exports to the Dominican Republic totaled 13,181 tons in March, up 87% from a year ago, beating the previous record of 10,681 tons set in February. The value of exports to the Dominican Republic also reached a record $33.6 million, up 88%. Driven by a rapid recovery in tourism, strong retail demand, a significant tariff advantage over other major suppliers and domestic production still constrained by African swine fever ( ASF ), exports to the DR grew 72% in the first quarter from a record pace last year to 32,047 tons. , and the value of exports rose by 87% to $85.1 million.

With import tariffs lowered and domestic production still struggling to recover from ASF, demand for US pork in the Philippines is on the rise. Exports in March were the highest since August at 5,077 tons, up 65% from a year ago and valued at $9.6 million (up 42%). Exports to the Philippines in the first quarter were 11,769 tons, up 49%, and the value of exports rose 43% to $28.9 million. For the ASEAN region, first-quarter exports increased 49% in volume (13,960 tons) and 40% in value ($35.2 million).

Exports to Malaysia are at a record 556 tons, up from 73 tons a year ago, including a record high of 467 tons in March, as Malaysian production was also hit by ASF and high production costs.

Exports to CHINA /Hong Kong continue to be well above last year's levels, with first-quarter deliveries up 29% to 134,881 and export values ​​up 26% to $352.2 million, driven primarily by strong growth in the MEAT mix.