Although restrictions related to a finding of pseudorabies virus (PRV) were removed in mid-to-late July, pork exports – especially pork variety meats – were still significantly impacted, which contributed to July results trending lower than a year ago.
July pork exports totaled 224,305 mt, down 6% from a year ago, while value also fell 6% to $641.8 million. Shipments increased to Japan, Central America, Colombia and Canada in July, but these results were offset by lower exports to Mexico, China, South Korea, Oceania and the ASEAN region.
Through the first seven months of the year, pork exports remained 2% above last year’s pace at 1.73 million mt, valued at $4.86 billion (up 1%).
Pork exports to Japan continued to build momentum in July, climbing 10% from a year ago to 29,239 mt, while value increased 5% to $110.9 million. January-July results for Japan show a 16% increase to 218,946 mt, valued at $832.1 million (up 11%). The U.S. industry continues to capitalize on merchandising opportunities for the pork loin – the largest volume item for Japan. These opportunities have expanded in part because of Japan’s suspension of imports from Spain, due to African swine fever (ASF).
Led by longtime mainstay markets Honduras and Guatemala and robust growth in Costa Rica, pork exports to Central America are reaching new heights in 2026. July shipments totaled 16,155 mt, up 11% from a year ago, while value also increased 11% to $52.4 million. July volumes were the second largest on record for both Guatemala (4,226 mt) and Costa Rica (2,731 mt). Through July, exports to the region increased 10% to 113,892 mt, valued at $376.1 million (up 14%). Even with pork exports to Canada rebounding in 2026, Central America has overtaken Canada as the fifth largest volume destination for U.S. pork.
July pork exports to Colombia reached 10,375 mt, up 5% from a year ago, while value increased 12% to $30 million. Bouncing back from a slow start to the year, January-July exports to Colombia are now on a record pace for both volume (77,163 mt, up 1%) and value ($223 million, up 3%).
As noted above, July pork exports to leading market Mexico were still impacted by the now-removed PRV-related restrictions on U.S. pork offal. July shipments to Mexico totaled 89,421 mt, down 3% from a year ago, while value also fell 3% to $221.2 million. July shipments of pork variety meats declined 13% year-over-year in volume (11,924 mt) and 10% in value ($22.9 million). For January through July, total exports to Mexico fell slightly below last year’s record pace at 665,886 mt (down 2%), valued at $1.52 billion (down 1%).
Despite recent U.S.-Canada trade tensions, Canada’s demand for U.S. pork has recovered in 2026. July exports totaled 14,411 mt, up 10% from year ago, while value increased 2% to $57.5 million. Through July, exports to Canada were 8% above last year’s pace in volume (105,711 mt) and 5% higher in value ($422.5 million).
September 4, 2026/ USMEF/ United States.
https://www.usmef.org
