The latest monthly US livestock and meat trade data recorded a surge in US pork exports for the month of March as most major destinations reported increases. US pork exports on the latest report totalled 608.1 million pounds, jumping 103.9m pounds from February, up 64.0m pounds over a year earlier and 127.5m pounds over last year-to-date.
A large increase in US pork exports to Mexico accounted for nearly half of the month-over-month rise, up 45.9m pounds from previously reported and 21.2m pounds over a year earlier. Exports to South Korea rose 19.6m pounds on the month and 13.4m pounds over last year, while Japan was up 13.9m pounds for March and 4.5m pounds over March 2022, and pork to Canada increased 11.4m pounds on the month and is 2.6m pounds over a year earlier. US pork to the Dominican Republic rose 6.5m on the month and is 15.6m pounds over last year, while pork to Australia increased 4.3m pounds for March and is 5.4m pounds over a year earlier.
US pork exports to destinations such as China & Hong Kong, the Philippines and Colombia reported decreased amounts. US pork to mainland China slipped 378 thousand pounds while Hong Kong fell 561 thousand pounds for March, bringing China* (including Hong Kong & Taiwan) overall 1.0m pounds lower on the month however up 3.8m pounds over last year. US pork to the Philippines fell 1.0m pounds for March and is 186 thousand pounds under a year earlier, while Colombia declined 882 thousand pounds on the month and is 3.0m pounds under last year.
Total US pork imports in March rose 6.4m pounds or +7.0% from previously reported, bringing the latest imports 35.1m pounds or -26.4% under the strong levels recorded in 2022. Pork imports from Canada into the US were up 1.3m pounds for March and 18.9m pounds under a year earlier, while pork from Mexico increased 1.1m pounds from last reported bringing imports from Mexico 4.0m under last year. Notably, the US imported 12.5m pounds more pork from Canada than it exported to the country in the month of March.
