Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While well below the record-large volume and value posted in May 2022, beef exports improved from April and were the second-largest, behind March, of 2023.
May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons (mt), up 16% from a year ago, the ninth-largest on record and the largest since May 2021. Export value climbed 12% to $731.1 million, also the highest since May 2021 and the seventh-highest on record. Pork variety meat exports were particularly outstanding in May, setting a value record of $127 million.