By: Farms.com
2023 was a landmark year for U.S. pork exports. With a remarkable performance in Mexico and significant growth in various markets, pork exports achieved a new value record. Despite beef exports not hitting the previous year's peak, pork exports saw an 8% increase in volume and a 6% rise in value from 2022, reaching $8.16 billion and 2.91 million metric tons.
Mexico emerged as the standout market, setting records for both export volume and value. December alone saw exports to Mexico jump to 105,451 metric tons, worth $233.8 million. The U.S. Meat Export Federation highlighted this growth as a testament to the global demand for U.S. pork, emphasizing expansion not only in Mexico but across the Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific regions.
Pork exports also saw significant gains in Central America, the Dominican Republic, and South America, with notable increases in export volumes and values. Efforts to diversify markets paid off, with strong performances in Oceania and the ASEAN region, despite challenges in traditional markets like China and Japan.
The record-breaking performance of U.S. pork exports in 2023 underscores the strength and resilience of the U.S. agricultural sector, highlighting the importance of international trade in supporting American farming and meat production industries.