U.S. pork exports posted one of their strongest months on record in March, according to USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. 285,567 metric tons shipped, an increase of 6% from a year earlier, and exporters said demand was broad across key markets. Shipments were especially stronger to Mexico, Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan, supporting packer margins and hog values.
Pork export value rose alongside volume, climbing 4% to $803.2 million, the second-highest monthly value recorded. USMEF noted first-quarter pork exports were also higher year-over-year, reflecting sustained demand in both the Western Hemisphere and important Asian destinations. For hog producers, the export strength has helped underpin prices amid ongoing input-cost pressures on the farm.
Tony St. James, RFD News market specialist, summarized the farm-level picture: pork exports are providing strong support to the hog sector while export channels remain diverse and resilient. The combination of higher shipments and elevated unit values is giving U.S. hog producers a firmer market signal during the spring marketing season.
Beef Export Trends
Beef exports showed a mixed result in March, with total muscle and offal shipments down versus a year earlier. March beef exports totaled 97,731 metric tons, an 11% decline, and export value slipped 8% to $844.7 million. USMEF identified the ongoing loss of business in China as a major drag on overall beef volumes, though volumes improved in markets such as Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Indonesia.
The clearest bright spot in beef trade was variety meats, which gained both volume and value. March beef variety meat exports jumped 24% to 29,062 metric tons, and value surged 50% to a record $135.6 million. Buyers in alternative markets continue to absorb parts of the carcass that add important carcass value for exporters and processors.
Producers and packers noted that stronger variety-meat demand has helped offset weakness in muscle-cut shipments, preserving revenue streams for the beef complex. Industry observers also point to domestic factors influencing cow prices; Dr. David Anderson noted that lean beef demand combined with lighter cow culling is allowing cull cow prices room to push higher, which affects cow-calf and slaughter operations.
Quarterly Outlook
Through the first quarter, pork exports were up 3% in both volume and value compared with the same period last year, underscoring a durable export demand base for U.S. pork. Beef exporters continue to pursue alternative markets for variety meats even as overall beef shipments face headwinds, with ongoing trade developments likely to shape performance for the remainder of 2026.
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