US pork exports maintained strong momentum in April, led by broad-based growth in Asian and Western Hemisphere markets, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation.
In a release the USMEF said beef exports trended lower in April because of the impasse with China over approving US packing plants to be eligible to export to China, along with year-over-year declines in other major markets.
PORK EXPORTS MOUNT
Pork exports totaled 257,212 tonnes in April, 19,962 tonnes, or 8.41%, more than last year’s 237,250 tonnes, while value increased $42,786, or 6.34%, to $718.110 million from $675.324 million, the USMEF data showed.
April’s strong performance reflected growth in Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Philippines, the USMEF said. For China and Canada, exports were significantly higher than the low volumes posted a year ago.
For January through April, pork exports were 44,413 tonnes, or 4.48%, more than the 2025 pace in volume at 1.036 million tonnes from 991,738 tonnes and were up $107.676 million, or 3.87%m in value at $2.892 billion from $2.785 billion.
Export value was slightly above the total posted in the first four months of 2024, when exports went on to set an annual value record, the USMEF said.
“Mexico and other key Latin American markets continue to perform remarkably well for US pork, as new product development and consumer education efforts are paying major dividends,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom, in the USMEF release. “Combine this with a rebound in Japan and Taiwan, growth in the Philippines and steady demand in Korea and 2026 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for US pork.”
BEEF EXPORTS DROP
April beef exports totaled 89,783 tonnes, down 10,876 tonnes, or 10.8%, from 100,659 tonnes a year ago, while value fell $43.876 million, or 5.32%, to $780.602 million from $824.478 million, the USMEF said.
While prospects are brightening for US beef’s return to the China market, April results still reflected a near-total lockout, the USMEF said. April shipments were higher than a year ago to Taiwan and Egypt and increased significantly to the Caribbean and ASEAN regions and to Peru but trended lower to other major markets.
Beef variety meats were again a bright spot in April, with exports climbing 20% from a year ago to 25,314 tonnes, led by growth to top volume market Mexico, valued at $114.7 million, up 40%.
For January through April, beef and beef variety meat exports were 45,889 tonnes, or 11.2%, less than the 2025 pace at 365,138 tonnes, compared with 411,027 tonnes, and declined $223.016 million, or 6.66%, in value to $3.128 billion from $3.351 billion, the USMEF said. But when excluding China from these results, exports were up 0.3% in volume and 7% in value.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $256.54 per cwt to $257.95, compared with last week’s range of $256.39 to $260.37 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $402.82 per cwt to $405.07, compared with $403.23 to $408.57.
The USDA choice cutout Wednesday was down $5.08 per cwt at $394.50 while select was up $0.41 at $377.26. The choice/select spread narrowed to $17.24, from $22.73 with 115 loads of fabricated product and 34 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $454.84 per cwt, and 50% beef was $180.45.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.23 to $1.43 a bushel over the Jul corn contract, which settled at $4.21 a bushel, up $0.07 1/4.
No live cattle contracts were tendered for delivery Wednesday.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Tuesday was $364.02 per cwt, up $0.02. This compares with Wednesday’s Aug contract settlement of $367.42, up $0.55.