Despite limited market access in Australia and New Zealand, U.S. pork exports to the Oceania region are booming. From January to November 2023, U.S. pork exports to Australia increased 87% by volume and 75% in value, reaching $213.4 million, while exports to New Zealand grew 100% by volume and 48% by value to $34.3 million.
Since pork imports are primarily limited to processed products and deboned pork, most imported U.S. pork is raw material used for further processing. Value-added processed products from the U.S. are also becoming popular in Australia as USMEF works to grow consumer awareness of U.S. pork through promotions at 14 Costco outlets. Retail also offers potential for cooked ribs (boneless in Australia and in New Zealand, bone in).