Strong July for Pork Exports; Another Slow Month for Beef

July exports of U.S. pork were slightly below last year but accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Market access obstacles continued to weigh heavily on exports of U.S. beef, with the vast majority of plants still ineligible to ship to China.

Pork exports totaled 238,922 metric tons (mt), down just 1% from a year ago, while value fell 4% to $680.9 million, largely reflecting the 10% decline in pork variety meat prices due to China's tariffs. Through the first seven months of 2025, pork exports were 4% below last year's record pace in both volume (1.69 million mt) and value ($4.8 billion).

"While July exports to Mexico didn't match the monster totals from a year ago, demand for U.S. pork remains very robust in our top market," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "July also saw great results in Central and South America, while volumes to the key Asian markets were largely steady with last year and pork variety meat volumes achieved broad-based growth."

With shipments to China nearly halted due to a lack of eligible plants, July beef exports totaled 89,579 mt, down 19% from a year ago and the lowest in five years. Export value declined 17% to $752.5 million, the lowest since January 2023. From January through July, exports were 8% below last year in volume (691,800 mt) and down 7.5% in value ($5.67 billion).

The decline was largely due to China's failure to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities, most of which expired in March. China has also suspended 11 U.S. beef facilities since June.

"The plant registration impasse with China unfortunately drags on, and it has left U.S. beef essentially shut out of the market after exporters worked through their eligible inventories," Halstrom explained. "Demand elsewhere has remained fairly resilient, even in the face of higher pricing, but restoring access to China is clearly the urgent priority. Export value and share of production exported declined in July, reflecting the loss of competing bids from Chinese buyers."

Momentum continues for U.S. pork in Western Hemisphere markets

July was another strong month for pork exports to leading destination Mexico, even though shipments were below the massive year-ago totals. Exports totaled 92,524 mt, down 8% year-over-year, while value reached $228.4 million - down 7% from a year ago but still the second highest this year (after the near-record in June) and the sixth highest on record. Mexico accounted for 10.9% of U.S. pork muscle cut production in July and from January through July, up from 10.6% in the same period last year.

Through July, exports to Mexico were 2% above last year's record pace at 678,815 mt, while value increased 6% to $1.53 billion.

Fueled by surging demand in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama, pork exports to Central America are also on a record pace in 2025. July shipments to the region climbed 35% from a year ago to 14,563 mt, while value increased 36% to $47.4 million. July shipments were the third highest on record to both Costa Rica and El Salvador. Through July, exports to Central America jumped 22% in volume (103,823 mt) and 24% in value ($329.4 million).

Demand for U.S. pork continues to expand in Colombia, where July exports reached 9,839 mt - up 15% from a year ago - while value increased 8% to $26.9 million. January-July shipments to Colombia were 16% above last year's record pace at 76,289 mt, with value climbing 19% to $217.4 million.

Other January-July results for U.S. pork exports include:

• Despite a total tariff rate of 57%, U.S. pork shipments to China - which are mostly variety meat - were steady with last year at 36,461 mt. The heightened tariff rate (which was 37% at this time last year) weighed on export value, which was down 13% to $77.6 million. For January through July, exports to China were 16% below last year in volume (218,005 mt) and 17% lower in value ($513.3 million), but this was mainly due a sharp drop in exports in April and May, when U.S. pork was subject to prohibitively high tariff rates.

• July pork exports to Japan were slightly above last year at 26,629 mt, though export value slipped 3% to $105.9 million, as the U.S. supplies more frozen and less chilled pork to Japan. January-July shipments to Japan were 9% below last year in volume (188.944 mt) and 11% lower in value ($752.2 million).

• Led by year-over-year growth in the Dominican Republic and Cuba, July pork exports to the Caribbean increased 8% to 9,963 mt, while value was up 3% to $30.3 million. Through July, exports to the region were steady with last year's record pace at 73,268 mt, as growth to other markets offset a 7% decrease to the Dominican Republic, while value climbed 5% to $223 million.

• Larger shipments to the Philippines and Vietnam drove July pork exports to the ASEAN region to just under 10,000 mt, up 8% from a year ago, while value increased 13% to $20 million. July exports to the Philippines topped 7,300 mt, the highest in more than two years, while the monthly total of nearly 2,000 mt to Vietnam was the highest since 2020. July volume included more than 4,100 mt of pork variety meat to the Philippines and more than 700 mt to Vietnam for the second consecutive month. January-July exports to the ASEAN totaled 42,971 mt, down 9% from a year ago, while value was down just 1% to $101.2 million. The Philippines is this year's third largest export destination for U.S. pork variety meat and Vietnam is 11th largest.

• Pork exports to Canada have trended lower in 2025, with January-July shipments down 17% in volume (98,192 mt) and 15% in value ($404.2 million). But U.S.-Canada trade received a potential boost earlier this week when Canada confirmed removal of a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. sausages. The tariff, in place since early March, had a significant negative impact on sausage exports.

• In addition to China, July exports of pork variety meat also trended higher year-over-year to Mexico, the ASEAN, Central America, Colombia and Japan. July exports were up 9% to 50,609 mt, the second largest volume this year. For January through July, pork variety meat exports were still down 10% in volume (312,623 mt) and 11% in value ($677.3 million).

• Pork export value equated to $66.31 per head slaughtered, down only slightly from last July's strong average. Through July, per-head value equated to $65.25, down 2% from the same period last year. Exports accounted for 30.7% of total July pork production, up one full percentage point from a year ago, and 26.1% of muscle cuts (up from 25.9%). For January through July, exports accounted for 29.8% of total production and 26.2% of muscle cuts (down from 30.4% and 26.1%, respectively).

Bright spots for July beef exports include Korea, Caribbean, Central America

July was a robust month for beef exports to leading market South Korea, with shipments climbing 13% from a year ago to 19,907 mt. Export value increased 10% to $186.4 million. Through July, exports to Korea were 9% above last year's pace in both volume (146,084 mt) and value ($1.39 billion).

President Trump announced a trade deal with Korea at the end of July, but no details on agricultural trade have yet been released.

Korea still maintains a ban on U.S. beef from cattle more than 30 months of age, and restricts certain products derived from cattle less than 30 months of age. Korea also continues to require Canadian cattle be fed for at least 100 days in the United States. All are BSE-related restrictions that are out of line with international standards. Removing these barriers would expand opportunities for U.S. exporters, to the tune of $140 million annually.

Strong demand in Korea could not offset the sharp decline in July beef exports to China, which plunged 92% from a year ago to just 1,110 mt. Export value dropped 94% to less than $8 million. Despite a fairly strong first quarter, January-July exports to China were down 46% to 55,632 mt, while value fell 47% to $481.4 million. In 2024, China was the third largest value market for U.S. beef exports and the fourth largest volume market,

U.S.-China trade negotiations are ongoing, with China's total tariff rate on U.S. beef currently standing at 32%. While this is a significant disadvantage, the most stifling trade barrier is the lack of beef plants eligible to export to China. Until Chinese regulators renew U.S. plant registrations, relist suspended facilities and return to other commitments outlined in the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement, shipments will continue to be minimal.

Other January-July results for U.S. beef exports include:

• Led by growth in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Leeward-Windward Islands, July beef exports to the Caribbean totaled 2,458 mt, up 7% from a year ago, while value climbed 20% to $24.3 million. Through July, export value to the region increased 13% to $184.5 million, despite a 6% decline in volume (18,645 mt).

• Although July beef exports to Central America were modestly lower than a year ago (1,353 mt, down 4%), value still increased 36% to $14 million, and exports to top market Guatemala were up 9% to 756 mt. Through July, exports to the region were 7% above last year's record pace in volume (13,008 mt), while value soared 32% to $117.2 million.

• Fueled by strong demand in Chile, July beef exports to South America totaled 1,756 mt, up 24% from a year ago, while value increased 57% to $13 million. July beef variety meat exports to Peru were the largest of the year at 520 mt. January-July shipments to the region increased 6% to 11,344 mt, while value climbed an impressive 41% to $83.6 million.

• Beef exports to Africa, which are mainly variety meat, have trended higher in 2025, driven by strong shipments to Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco and Gabon. July exports were up 14% from a year ago to 934 mt, while value increased 60% to just under $2 million. Through July, shipments to Africa increased 20% to 8,099 mt, while value climbed 40% to $13.3 million.

• Driven in part by larger variety meat shipments, July beef exports to the Philippines increased 51% from a year ago to 1,921 mt, valued at $12.5 million (up 9%). Through July, exports to the Philippines increased 11% to 10,019 mt, while value was up 4% to $79.1 million. This included a sharp increase in variety meat exports, which were up 73% in volume (838 mt) and 72% in value ($2.1 million).

• July beef exports to Japan were down 4% from a year ago to 21,048 mt, while value fell 10% to $156.7 million. Through July, exports to Japan were down 3% in volume (145,053 mt) and 7% in value ($1.08 billion).

• Mexico's demand for U.S. beef softened in July, with exports totaling 15,973 mt, down 24% from a year ago, and value falling 10% to $110.8 million. Through July, exports to Mexico were down 9% in volume (122,061 mt) and 3% in value ($758.1 mt). For muscle cut volume, Brazil is now the largest supplier of beef to Mexico.

• Beef exports to Taiwan continued to trend lower in July, falling 24% from a year ago to 4,655 mt, while value declined 26% to $51.2 million. January-July exports were down 12% to 32,521 mt, while value fell 8% to $372.5 million.

• Though not affecting the July export results, halal-related trade barriers were recently minimized for U.S. beef in two key markets. U.S. beef entering the United Arab Emirates is no longer limited to the Port of Dubai and no longer restricted to the foodservice sector. The Indonesian government has also taken steps to reopen the market to U.S. beef, ending an impasse that had halted most U.S. shipments.

• July beef exports equated to $368.09 per head of fed slaughter, down 12% from a year ago. Through July, the per-head average was down 4% to $403.89. Exports accounted for 11.9% of total July beef production and 10% for muscle cuts, down significantly from the respective July 2024 ratios of 14% and 11.6%. For January through July, exports accounted for 13.3% of total production and 11.1% of muscle cuts, down from 14.1% and 11.8%, respectively, during the same period last year.

July lamb exports trend higher

Larger shipments to Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas and Costa Rica pushed July exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts to 239 mt, up 56% from a year ago, while value increased 35% to $1.34 million. For January through July, exports increased 45% to 1,829 mt, valued at $9.6 million (up 26%).

In leading volume market Mexico, USMEF positions U.S. lamb as a premium product with the versatility for use in a variety of dishes featuring cuts such as shoulder and flap meat. These attributes were recently highlighted at mobile grill events in Puebla and Villahermosa, with more details available here. January-July exports to Mexico increased 68% from a year ago to 834 mt, while value jumped 81% to $2.94 million - already surpassing the full-year volume and value totals from 2024.

Complete January-July export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb are available from USMEF's statistics web page.

For questions, please contact Joe Schuele or call 303-547-0030.

NOTES:

• Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat, unless otherwise noted.

• One metric ton (mt) = 2,204.622 pounds.

• U.S. pork and beef currently face retaliatory duties in China. In February 2020, China announced a duty exclusion process that allows importers to apply for relief from duties imposed in response to U.S. Section 301 duties. When an application is successful, the rate for U.S. beef can decline to the MFN rate of 12% and the rate for U.S. pork can decline to 37% (the MFN rate plus the 25% Section 232 retaliatory duty, which remains in place). But China imposed an additional 10% retaliatory duty on U.S. pork and beef on March 10, 2025, and additional retaliatory duties were announced in April 2025. China's new retaliatory duties were first announced at 34% but were later increased to 84% and further increased to 125%. The additional tariffs pushed China's effective duty rate on U.S. pork and pork variety meat to 172% and the rate for beef and beef variety meat increased to 147%. These rates were temporarily lowered to 57% for pork and 32% for beef on May 14, 2025, when the U.S. and China agreed to a temporary de-escalation to allow for further negotiations. Product that shipped prior to April 10 was allowed to clear without the additional 125%, provided it arrived by May 13.

• Beginning March 4, 2025, U.S. sausages entering Canada were subject to a 25% retaliatory duty. This duty was removed effective Sept. 1, 2025.