USMEF: U.S. pork exports hold steady
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released red meat export data for September that shows steady pork exports, but lower beef exports, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The USDA report was delayed due to the recent federal government shutdown. As compiled by the USMEF, September data showed a fairly steady performance for United Sates pork exports, matching year-ago value while down slightly in volume. But September beef exports were the lowest in more than five years, with shipments to China effectively halted and exports to other Asian markets also trending lower year-over-year.
“We are encouraged by the robust and resilient global demand for U.S. pork—especially in Mexico, but also in a broad range of international markets,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The situation is obviously much more challenging on the beef side, primarily due to the ongoing impasse with the Chinese government, which continues to ignore its commitments under the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement. U.S. industry losses continue to mount as a result of this lockout, and relief simply cannot come soon enough.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is conducting a Section 301 investigation of China’s implementation of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement, popularly known as the Phase One Agreement, with a public hearing set for Dec. 16. USMEF submitted comments to USTR detailing China’s failure to meet its Phase One commitments on red meat trade.
Value record for Mexico led strong September performance for U.S. pork
Pork exports totaled 233,816 metric tons in September, down 2% from a year ago. Export value was steady at $683.9 million, highlighted by the highest value on record for Mexico (nearly $260 million). The value of pork muscle cut exports trended higher in September ($586.2 million, up 1%), but pork variety meat exports declined, due in part to China’s retaliatory tariffs. Excluding China, September pork and pork variety meat exports were 4% above last year.
Through the first three quarters of the year, pork exports were 3% below the record pace of 2024 in both volume (2.16 million mt) and value ($6.16 billion), and down just 1% when excluding China. Exports to leading market Mexico, which have already topped $2 billion in value in 2025, and to Central America, are poised to reach new annual highs. January-September shipments also increased year-over-year to Colombia, the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Few bright spots in a difficult month for U.S. beef exports
September beef exports were just 80,835 mt, down 22% from a year ago and the lowest since June 2020. Export value was $660.9 million, also down 22% and the lowest since February 2021. Even when excluding China, beef export volume fell 11% year-over-year, due in part to lower production.
January-September beef exports totaled 856,023 mt, down 11% from a year ago (and down 4% when excluding China). Export value was down 10% to $7.03 billion. Exports trended higher to leading value market Korea and to Central and South America, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Africa. But these gains were more than offset by the steep decline to China and lower shipments to Japan, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan.
September lamb exports above year-ago, but lowest of 2025
September exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 130 mt, up 67% from last year’s low volume but the smallest in 12 months. Export value was $807,000, up 64% but also the lowest since last September. Led by growth in Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada, January-September exports increased 47% from a year ago to 2,179 mt, valued at $11.7 million (up 31%). Exports also increased to Costa Rica and Panama.
A detailed summary of the January-September export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available at https://www.usmef.org/press-release/u-s-pork-exports-steady-in-september-with-value-record-for-mexico-beef-exports-lowest-since-mid-2020
