February exports of U.S. pork were moderately lower than a year ago, despite continued success in Mexico and Central America, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
February pork exports totaled 241,179 metric tons, down 4 percent from the larger year-ago volume, while value fell 2 percent to $671.5 million. Exports soared to Central America in February, and export value to Mexico exceeded $200 million for the eighth consecutive month. Shipments also increased to the Philippines, New Zealand, and Cuba, but were significantly lower to Japan and South Korea. For the first two months of 2025, pork exports were 3 percent below last year’s record pace at 485,144 mt, with value down 2 percent to $1.34 billion.
“I can’t stress enough the continued demand from Latin America, it just continues to amaze,” says USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Other markets that did well for the month of February, the ASEAN region continues to perform, especially the Philippines, Cuba, and New Zealand, on the boneless pork side, were good as well.”
Beef Slips, Too
February beef exports were also below last year after trending higher in January.
In February and March of this year, many U.S. pork, beef and poultry plants and cold storage facilities were due for a five-year eligibility renewal by China’s General Administration of Customs. Pork and poultry plants were renewed on the March 16 expiration date, but GACC still has not renewed the eligibility of any U.S. beef establishments, and the majority of U.S. beef production is now ineligible for China.
Beef exports totaled 98,198 mt in February, down 5.5 percent from a year ago, while value declined 4 percent to just over $800 million. February exports increased year-over-year to South Korea, Canada, Egypt, and the Philippines, and reached the highest value on record to Panama. Shipments were lower to Japan, China/Hong Kong, and Mexico, though beef variety meat exports to Mexico increased. January-February shipments were 1 percent below last year’s pace at 201,038 mt, but value increased 1 percent to $1.6 billion.
“We’re down significantly in China in February at 12,800 tons. But a lot of this is the result of the lack of approval of beef plant registrations in China,” Halstrom says. “So this is definitely a concern on the non-tariff trade barrier side of things.”
Trade Tension
But current tariff tensions could provide another headwind. China has been announcing additional retaliatory duties to create further obstacles for U.S. pork and beef exports to China. New U.S. tariffs have also created uncertainty for buyers of U.S. red meat in other destinations where retaliation could impact market access and prices.
“In the meantime, what we need to do, we USMEF and the industry, we need to keep our eye on the ball and continue to market U.S. beef and pork globally,” Halstrom says.
