US: Robust October pork exports maintain record pace

U.S. pork exports reached 252,411 metric tons in October, up 3% year-over-year, while value also rose 3% to $710.4 million. While shipments to the top market, Mexico, declined slightly, this was more than offset by growth in Japan, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and the ASEAN region. Through the first 10 months of 2024, pork exports increased 5% year-over-year to 2.49 million metric tons, valued at $7.07 billion (up 6%). This year, exports are expected to surpass 3 million metric tons for the first time, surpassing 2020’s volume record (2.98 million metric tons) and surpassing last year’s value record ($8.16 billion). Pork exports to key market Mexico hit new highs in 2024, but trended modestly lower in October, falling 2% year-on-year in both volume (98,728 tonnes) and value (US$216.5 million). During the first 10 months of the year, exports to Mexico were still 6% above last year’s record pace of 948,932 tonnes, valued at US$2.1 billion (an increase of 11%). Led by ...