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Exports of U.S. pork maintained strong momentum in April, led by broad-based growth in Asian and Western Hemisphere markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports trended lower in April due to the impasse with China, along with year-over-year declines in other major markets.
April pork exports buoyed by Mexico, Japan, Dominican Republic
Pork exports totaled 257,212 metric tons (mt) in April, 8% (and nearly 20,000 mt) above last year, while value increased 6% to $718.1 million. Export value per head slaughtered equated to $66.83 in April, up 7% from a year ago. April’s strong performance reflected growth in Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Philippines. For China and Canada, exports were significantly higher than the low volumes posted a year ago.
For January through April, pork exports were 4% above the 2025 pace in both volume (1.04 million mt) and value ($2.89 billion). Export value was slightly above the total posted in the first four months of 2024, when exports went on to set an annual value record.
“Mexico and other key Latin American markets continue to perform remarkably well for U.S. pork, as new product development and consumer education efforts are paying major dividends,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Combine this with a rebound in Japan and Taiwan, growth in the Philippines and steady demand in Korea, and 2026 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for U.S. pork.”
Halstrom cautioned, however, that the April data does not capture the impact of restrictions on some pork variety meat items imposed in early May by Mexico and Colombia, following findings of pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibodies in five boars in quarantine at a small operation in Iowa. (Pork muscle cut exports have not been impacted.)
“USDA continues to work with its counterpart agencies in these countries to put these PRV-related restrictions behind us as soon as possible,” he explained. “There was a significant negative impact on May exports and the situation has continued into June, but it should hopefully be short-lived.”
Bright spots for April beef exports include Taiwan, Egypt, Caribbean and ASEAN
April beef exports totaled 89,783 mt, down 11% from a year ago, while value fell 5% to $780.6 million. While prospects are brightening for U.S. beef’s return to the China market, April results still reflected a near-total lockout. April shipments were higher than a year ago to Taiwan and Egypt and increased significantly to the Caribbean and ASEAN regions and to Peru, but trended lower to other major markets. Beef variety meats were again a bright spot in April, with exports climbing 20% from a year ago to 25,314 mt, led by growth to top volume market Mexico, valued at $114.7 million (up 40%).
April beef exports shined on a per-head basis, as export value equated to $415.88 per head of fed slaughter, up 5% from a year ago.
For January through April, beef and beef variety meat exports were 11% below the 2025 pace at 365,138 mt, and declined 5% in value to $3.13 billion. But when excluding China from these results, exports were up slightly (+0.3%) in volume and increased 7% in value.
“Global demand for U.S. beef has proven very resilient, even in the face of tight supplies and higher prices,” Halstrom said. “But there are certainly significant headwinds, including the impact of weak currencies in Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia, and higher energy prices weighing on consumer confidence and disposable income. And while we were thrilled to see China renew U.S. beef plant registrations following the summit meeting between President Trump and President Xi, additional obstacles must also be addressed before U.S. beef’s presence in China rebounds.”
Lamb exports down in April, but still higher year-to-date
April exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 231 mt, down 10% from a year ago, while value fell 16% to $1.2 million. January-April exports were 4% above last year’s pace in volume (1,042 mt) and 3% higher in value ($5.7 million), led by growth in the Bahamas, Netherlands Antilles and Leeward-Windward Islands.
Lamb exports to Mexico have trended lower in 2026, after reaching the highest level since 2014 last year. No exports have yet been reported to Canada this year, after totaling 233 mt in 2025.
A detailed summary of the January-April export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.
USMEF news release
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