February exports of US pork were slightly higher year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While beef exports trended lower, due in large part to continued lack of access to China, shipments of beef variety meat posted another strong increase. February was a strong month for per-head export value, with pork exports equating to more than $67 per head slaughtered and beef exports reaching nearly $423 per head of fed slaughter. Exports of US lamb muscle cuts trended higher, reaching the largest volume since May.

February pork exports totaled 242,511 metric tons (mt), up 1% from a year ago, with export value also edging 1% higher to $678.8 million. While leading market Mexico posted another strong performance in February, shipments to Japan increased significantly from last year’s low total, and exports also trended higher year-over-year to South Korea, Central America, the Dominican Republic and Taiwan.

“It is gratifying to see demand for US pork continue to expand in our Western Hemisphere markets,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “But the rebound in Japan really stands out to me, given the strong economic headwinds and intense competition in this important market. To build on this recent momentum in Japan, it is critical that we continue to differentiate US pork and demonstrate its advantages to Japanese importers and consumers.”

For January through February, US pork exports were 2% above last year’s pace in both volume (493,372 mt) and value ($1.37 billion). Export value is slightly ahead of the record pace established in 2024.

February beef exports totaled 85,066 mt, down 13% year-over-year, while value fell 10% to $722.7 million. Much of this gap was due to China’s lockout of US beef, though February shipments were also below last year to Korea, Japan and Canada. Exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, Taiwan, the Caribbean and South America, while demand was steady in the Middle East and Central America. Excluding China, February exports were 4% higher in value and just 1% below last year’s volume.

The February totals included 24,081 mt of beef variety meat, up 12% from a year ago, while the value of these shipments soared 40% to $106 million.

“Beef variety meat exports continue to trend higher, especially on the value side, and that makes such an important contribution to the value of every animal,” Halstrom said. “Where US beef has access, muscle cut demand has held up well and provides a great complement to our robust domestic market. But for beef variety meats, export markets are really the whole ball game, so it’s great to see these products achieve broad-based growth.”

Through the first two months of 2026, beef and beef variety meat exports were 12% below last year’s pace in volume (177,624 mt) and 6% lower in value ($1.5 billion). Excluding China from these results, exports increased 2% to 175,915 mt, while value was 10% higher at $1.49 billion.

January-February exports of beef variety meat increased 9% from a year ago to 51,592 mt, while export value climbed 43% to $232 million.

Pork exports continue to build momentum in Latin America and Asia

February pork exports to Japan, a longtime stalwart for US pork, rebounded 20% from a year ago to 28,138 mt. Export value was $107.7 million, up 13% and the highest since October. Although still below some prior years, January-February exports to Japan were 21% above last year’s pace at 55,328 mt, while value increased 14% to $211.5 million.

Pork exports to leading market Mexico were outstanding again in February, reaching 97,357 mt, up 4.5% from a year ago. Export value increased 9% to $220.7 million. Coming off a fifth consecutive record year in 2025, January-February exports to Mexico increased by 4% in volume (205,329 mt) and 8% in value ($459.4 million). With pork variety meat shipments to China held back by retaliatory duties and other obstacles, Mexico is an increasingly critical destination for these products. Through February, pork variety meat exports to Mexico were 11% above last year in both volume (30,147 mt) and value ($53.3 million).

Led by growth in Honduras and Costa Rica, pork exports to Central America reached 16,144 mt in February, up 14% from a year ago, while value climbed 23% to $53.1 million. Through February, exports to the region were 7% above last year in volume (30,795 mt) and 12% higher in value ($100.7 million).

Other January-February results for US pork exports:

• For the eighth consecutive month, pork exports to Korea posted year-over-year growth in February, reaching 18,584 mt, up 4%. Export value increased 8% to $61 million. January-February exports mirrored this trend, also increasing 4% in volume (35,545 mt) and 8% in value ($118.5 million).
• Pork exports to Taiwan have rebounded in early 2026, albeit compared to last year’s low volumes. Through February, exports to Taiwan nearly tripled from a year ago in both volume (2,735 mt, up 175%) and value ($7 million, up 162%). In February, the Trump administration announced the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement that will reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers for US pork in Taiwan, but this agreement has not yet been implemented.
• Pork exports to the Dominican Republic have raced to a fast start in 2026, with January-February exports climbing 21% from a year ago in volume (17,506 mt) and 18% in value ($51.6 million).
• Following a strong January performance, pork exports to Colombia took a step back in February, falling 19% in volume (8,485 mt) from a year ago and down 17% in value ($24.9 million). Through February, exports to Colombia were down 3% in both volume (18,338 mt) and value ($52.9 million)
• While China continues to be the leading destination for US pork variety meats, shipments are being negatively impacted by retaliatory duties, large domestic supplies and sluggish consumer demand. Through February, total pork exports to China were down 12% from a year ago to 65,553 mt, while value fell 23% to $138.5 million. These results included 47,182 mt of pork variety meat, down 6% from a year ago, valued at $97.8 million (down 21%).
• Pork export value equated to $67.28 per head slaughtered in February, up 2% from a year ago. The January-February per-head average was up 4% to $64.55. Exports accounted for 30.7% of total February pork production and 26.7% for muscle cuts, each up slightly from a year ago. The January-February ratios were 29.5% and 25.7% – up from 28.7% and 25%, respectively, in the first two months of 2025.

Variety meat exports remain a bright spot for US beef

As noted above, beef variety meat exports have strengthened in recent months, reaching a monthly value record in December ($122 million) and breaking that record in January ($126 million). February variety meat exports were also robust, climbing 12% from a year ago to 24,081 mt, while value surged 40% to $106 million. Through February, beef variety meat exports increased 9% to 51,592 mt, with value up 43% to $232 million. While much of this growth was driven by tongues and skirts to Japan, shipments also increased to Korea, South Africa, Peru, Colombia and Vietnam. Exports to Mexico were steady in volume but increased 13% in value.

Total February beef exports to Mexico edged 2% higher year-over-year in volume (17,590 mt), while value increased 11% to $124.3 million. Through February, shipments to Mexico increased 12% in value ($248.8 million) despite a 2% decline in volume (36,426 mt).

Beef exports to Taiwan reached 4,200 mt in February, up 5% from a year ago, though value fell 9% to $44.4 million. Through February, shipments to Taiwan climbed 38% to 9,831 mt, while value increased 23% to $107.4 million. As noted above, the US has reached a reciprocal trade agreement with Taiwan that will eliminate tariffs on US beef and reduce technical barriers, but implementation is pending. 

Other January-February results for US beef exports:

• Led by surging demand in the Dominican Republic and robust growth in the Bahamas and Netherlands Antilles, February beef exports to the Caribbean increased 8% to 2,758 mt, while value soared 29% to $33.8 million. January-February exports to the region were 8% higher in volume (5,720 mt) and up 30% in value ($65.9 million). 
• February beef exports to South America reached 1,758 mt, up 17% from a year ago, with value surging 62% to $15.2 million. Through February, beef exports to South America increased 15% to 3,312 mt, valued at $27.6 million (up 43%). The vast majority of US red meat exports to South America are to free trade agreement partners Colombia, Peru and Chile. But through a reciprocal trade agreement announced in March (but not yet implemented), Ecuador could also develop into a significant destination for US beef and pork.
• Beef exports to Central America were steady in volume in February at 1,928 mt, while export value climbed 25% to $21.2 million. January-February exports followed a similar trend, climbing 23% from a year ago in value ($40.3 million) despite a 1% decline in volume (3,838 mt). In addition to leading market Guatemala, value growth was led by Costa Rica and Panama.
• Rebounding from last year’s minimal volumes, January-February beef exports to South Africa climbed nearly 1,400% to 810 mt, while value increased 783% to $1.2 million. Nearly all beef exports to South Africa are currently variety meat, mainly kidneys and livers.
• Beef exports to the Middle East have seen mixed results in 2026, with January-February shipments down 8% in volume (8,727 mt) but rising 13% in value ($45.2 million). While the military conflict with Iran creates challenges in the Middle East, exporters serving the region received excellent news this week when Saudi Arabia lifted longstanding technical barriers for US beef. USMEF expects expanded access to Saudi Arabia to pay significant dividends, with exports exceeding $100 million annually. 
• Despite a strong increase in variety meat demand, total January-February beef exports to Japan were 3% below last year in both volume (37,087 mt) and value ($275.3 million).
• Following a strong January performance, beef exports to Korea took a step back in February, falling 14% in volume (16,032 mt) and 16% in value ($151.1 million). Through February, shipments to Korea were 5% lower in both volume (35,513 mt) and value ($343.7 million).
• Beef export value equated to $422.87 per head of fed slaughter in February, down 2% from a year ago but the highest in 11 months. The January-February per-head average was $418.83, up 5% from a year ago. Exports accounted for 12.9% of total February beef production and 9.9% for muscle cuts, down from 14.2% and 11.9%, respectively, a year ago. The January-February ratios were 12.8% and 9.7%, down from 13.4% and 10.9%, respectively, in the first two months of 2025.

Lamb muscle cut exports largest in nine months

February exports of US lamb muscle cuts totaled 326 mt, up 52% from a year ago and the largest since May. Export value increased 31% to $1.47 million. Shipments increased year-over-year to the Caribbean and Central America, but trended lower to Mexico.

January-February lamb exports were 20% above last year in volume (564 mt) and 13% higher in value ($2.91 million). Growth was driven primarily by the Caribbean and Central America, but shipments also edged higher to Taiwan and Japan.

Complete January-February export results for US pork, beef and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics web page. 

Notes:

• Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat, unless otherwise noted.
• One metric ton (mt) = 2,204.622 pounds.
• US pork and beef currently face retaliatory duties in China. In February 2020, China announced a duty exclusion process that allows importers to apply for relief from duties imposed in response to US Section 301 duties. When an application is successful, the rate for US beef can decline to the MFN rate of 12% and the rate for US pork can decline to 37% (the MFN rate plus the 25% Section 232 retaliatory duty, which remains in place). But China imposed an additional 10% retaliatory duty on US pork and beef on March 10, 2025, and additional retaliatory duties were announced in April 2025. China’s new retaliatory duties were first announced at 34% but were later increased to 84% and further increased to 125%. The additional tariffs pushed China’s effective duty rate on US pork and pork variety meat to 172% and the rate for beef and beef variety meat increased to 147%. These rates were temporarily lowered to 57% for pork and 32% for beef on May 14, 2025, when the US and China agreed to a temporary de-escalation to allow for further negotiations. The rates were further lowered to 47% for pork and 22% for beef on Nov. 10, 2025.
• Beginning March 4, 2025, US sausages entering Canada were subject to a 25% retaliatory duty. This duty was removed effective Sept. 1, 2025.

Source: US Meat Export Federation