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 (USMEF). Beef exports trended lower in April due to the impasse with China, along with year-over-year declines in other major markets.
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. 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.”
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%).
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.”
April pork exports buoyed by Mexico, Japan, Dominican Republic
Pork exports to leading market Mexico, which are on a record pace in 2026, were robust again in April at 94,538 mt, up 3% from a year ago, while value climbed 7% to $211.4 million. January-April exports totaled 403,675 mt, up 5% year-over-year, valued at just under $900 million (up 8%). These results include a 6% increase in pork variety meat shipments, which reached 58,713 mt through April, valued at $104.3 million (up 8%).
As noted above, however, May data will reflect a major disruption in pork variety meat trade, as Mexico halted imports of skins, fat, feet and other offal items, regardless of their state of origin. Restrictions on these products are now (effective June 8) limited to those sourced from hogs from farms in Iowa or Texas. USMEF hopes to see a lifting of Mexico’s statewide restrictions once a second round of PRV testing is completed later this week and the final USDA report is submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health.
The rebound in Japan’s demand for U.S. pork continued in April, with exports reaching 32,682 mt, up 9% year-over-year, valued at $122.1 million (up 3%). Through April, pork exports to Japan were 17% above last year’s pace at 123,458 mt, with value up 11% to $467.9 million, closely approaching levels from the same period in 2024. Exports to Japan have been above year-ago levels for the last five months.
April pork exports to the Dominican Republic soared 57% above last year at 11,622 mt (following a strong month in March when volume neared 12,500 mt), while value increased 51% to $33.7 million. This was the second highest monthly value on record, following a record March total of nearly $36 million. For January through April, pork exports to the DR were 38% above last year’s pace at 41,606 mt, while value increased 35% to $121.1 million.
Other January-April results for U.S. pork exports include:
- Led by robust growth in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and El Salvador, pork exports to Central America are on a record pace in 2026. April exports increased 10% year-over-year to 17,264 mt, while value climbed 19% to $58.9 million. Through April, shipments to the region were up 8% to 65,554 mt, valued at $217.6 million (up 14%).
- April pork exports to Canada climbed 71% above last year’s low volume, reaching 14,199 mt, valued at $56.1 million (up 65%). Through the first four months of the year, shipments to Canada were up 12% from a year ago to 65,306 mt, while value increased 10% to $258.5 million.
- Pork exports to the Philippines reached 5,591 mt in April, up 26% from a year ago, while value increased 3% to $11.9 million. Through April, exports to the Philippines were 21% above last year’s pace at 20,932 mt, with value up 8% to $44.3 million.
- Although April pork exports to Taiwan were below last year, January-April shipments to Taiwan were still up 53% from last year’s low level at 4,573 mt, with value increasing 41% to $10.8 million.
- April pork exports to China, which are primarily variety meat, reached 35,136 mt, up 33% from last year’s minimal volume, while value was up 15% to $74.4 million. For January through April, exports to China pulled nearly even with last year’s pace at 139,915 mt (down 1%), while value was still down 13% to $297.3 million.
- Pork export value equated to $66.83 per head slaughtered in April, up 7% from a year ago. The January-April per-head average was $67.26, up 4%. Exports accounted for 30.5% of total April pork production and 26.7% of muscle cuts – each up significantly from the respective year-ago ratios of 28.1% and 25.2%. For January through April, exports accounted for 30.7% of total production, up from 29.6% last year, while the ratio of muscle cuts exported increased from 26% in 2025 to 26.7% this year.
Bright spots for April beef exports include Taiwan, Egypt, Caribbean and ASEAN
April beef exports to Taiwan totaled 4,892 mt, up 9% from a year ago, while value increased 3% to $55.8 million. Through April, beef exports to Taiwan increased 19% to 19,801 mt, which value was up 11% to $224.2 million. The U.S. continues to be Taiwan’s dominant supplier of chilled beef, holding two-thirds of the chilled import market.
Fueled by growth to most islands, including the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and the Netherlands Antilles, April beef exports to the Caribbean increased 17% from a year ago to 3,275 mt, while value soared 35% to $38.6 million. January-April exports to the region were up 8% to 12,271 mt, with value climbing an impressive 29% to $141.4 million.
With shipments to Indonesia rebounding from last year’s minimal total and reaching the highest level since December, and demand strengthening in Vietnam to the highest level since October, April beef exports to the ASEAN region reached 3,555 mt, up 48% from a year ago, while value increased 50% to just under $30 million. Through April, beef exports to the ASEAN climbed 31% in volume (11,049 mt) and 38% in value ($94.4 million).
Other January-April results for U.S. beef exports include:
- Although down from the huge totals posted in March, beef variety meat exports were strong again in April at 25,314 mt, up 20% from a year ago. Export value climbed 40% to $114.7 million – the seventh consecutive month that beef variety meat value has topped $100 million. For January through April, variety meat exports increased 16% to 105,968 mt, valued at $482.3 million, with growth led by Japan (see note above), Mexico, Korea, South Africa, Peru and Vietnam.
- April beef exports to leading value market Korea were below last year, but still exceeded $200 million in value for the second consecutive month. April shipments totaled 20,206 mt, down 14% from a year ago, while value fell 7% to $200.2 million. January-April exports to Korea were 6% below last year in volume (76,448 mt) and 4% lower in value ($753.8 million).
- Beef exports to Japan fell 22% from a year ago in April to 17,563 mt, while value was 15% lower at $140.1 million. For January through April, total exports to Japan fell 9% to 74,959 mt, valued at $577 million (down 7%). While export data show a large increase in beef variety meat volume to Japan and a sharp decline in muscle cuts, Japanese import data suggest a less dramatic shift toward variety meat. USMEF will report further on this issue as more details become available.
- Beef exports to Mexico fell 3% from a year ago in volume (17,062 mt) in April and were down 5% in value ($102.2 million). Through April, beef shipments to Mexico were steady in volume (72,860 mt) and increased 6% in value to $464.9 million. Beef variety meat exports to Mexico totaled 44,425 mt through April, up 13%, valued at $130 million, up 22%.
- April beef exports to Central America were 7% below last year at 1,967 mt, but still increased 2% in value to $18.6 million. Although down slightly through April in volume (8,067 mt, down 1%), exports to the region increased 15% in value to $81.3 million, led by value growth in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
- Beef exports to Egypt, which are almost entirely livers and other variety meat, increased 6% from a year ago in April to 2,695 mt, while value climbed 26% to $6.7 million. Through April, shipments to Egypt increased 12% in value ($28.1 million) despite a 10% decline in volume (11,888 mt).
- Exports to Peru, which are about 60% beef variety meat, reached 841 mt in April, up 60% year-over-year, while value soared 76% to just under $7 million. January-April exports to Peru have nearly doubled over last year, gaining 97% in volume (2,761 mt) and 94% in value ($19.5 million).
- Despite being lower overall, April beef exports still shined on a per-head basis. Export value equated to $415.88 per head of fed slaughter in April, up 5% from a year ago. The January-April per-head average was $427.59, up 3%. Exports accounted for 12.5% of total April beef production and 9.6% of muscle cuts – down from 13.1% and 11.1%, respectively, a year ago. The January-April ratios were 13% of total production and 9.8% for muscle cuts – each down about one-half percentage point from the same period in 2025.
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.
Complete January-April export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics web page.