USA: rapid start of pork exports in 2024

Although pork exports in January were led by shipments to the Mexican market, U.S. pork continued to make gains across a wide range of destinations in the Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific. Pork exports totaled 251,424 metric tons (mt) in January, up 6% from a year ago, while the value of exports also increased by 6% to US$682.1 million. January pork exports to Mexico reached 102,181 tons, an increase of 6% from the previous year and the second highest record behind only December 2023. The value of exports increased 8% to US$207.2 million , the seventh largest ever recorded. After a very strong end to 2023, January pork exports to South Korea increased 53% year-on-year to 20,727 tonnes. The value of exports increased by 51% to US$67.6 million. Despite the growing presence of Canadian, Mexican and Brazilian pork in South Korea, US pork continues to gain as the US industry regains some market share from the European Union. Despite lower shipments to Central America's main market ...