The latest monthly US livestock and meat trade data recorded an increase in US pork exports, with the latest tally reported at 618.1 million pounds which is up 37.5m pounds from April and 69.4m pounds over a year earlier. Compared to last year-to-date, US pork exports for 2023 so far are up 248.8m pounds or +9.5% compared to the same months in 2022.
US pork exports to Mexico recorded yet again the largest month-over-month change, this time rising 37.0m pounds for May to record the second highest month historically behind Jan'23 at 228.5m pounds, bringing Mexico 35.3m pounds over last year. Exports to Australia increased 9.0m pounds from April and is 12.6m pounds over a year earlier. US pork to Canada climbed 3.3m pounds on the month and is 1.7m pounds over last year, while Honduras was up 2.1m pounds for May and is 4.0m pounds over last year.
US pork to the Dominican Republic recorded a significant decline, down 8.0m pounds for May and is 3.3m pounds under last year, while Japan fell 7.4m pounds in the latest data to bring them 3.3m pounds under 2022. China* and South Korea were also lower in May, however much more modestly. US pork to mainland China fell 5.1m pounds and Hong Kong slipped 12 thousand pounds, however this was largely offset by an increase to Taiwan which rose 4.4m pounds, bringing China* (including Hong Kong & Taiwan) overall 663 thousand pounds lower on the month but up 12.7m pounds over last year. US pork to South Korea edged 419 thousand pounds lower in May however is 13.2m pounds over a year earlier.
Total US pork imports in May were nearly unchanged, up a modest 17 thousand pounds on the month to bring the latest imports 31.0m pounds or -25.8% under the strong levels recorded in 2022. Pork imports from Canada slipped 105 thousand pounds on the latest report, bringing them 16.7m pounds under a year earlier. For comparison, the US imported 14.5m pounds more pork from Canada than it exported to the country in the month of May.
