DENVER — US pork exports to Mexico and Central America increased in February but not enough to reach year-ago levels, according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Meanwhile, February beef exports also decreased from last year’s levels, but lamb muscle exports experienced a year-over-year increase for the fifth consecutive month.

US pork exports totaled 241,179 tonnes during the month of February, down 4% from an last year’s volume. Value fell 2% to $671.5 million. For the eighth consecutive month, pork export value to Mexico exceeded $200 million, as shipments also increased to Central America, the Philippines, New Zealand and Cuba.

“I can’t say enough about the tremendous demand for US pork in Mexico and Central America, where the US industry continues to move a wider range of center-of-the-plate cuts to a variety of end users,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “Unfortunately, the strong performance there has been offset by a slow start to the year in Japan and South Korea. And although February shipments to China were slightly above last year, exports may have been larger if not for the uncertainty over plant eligibility, which wasn’t resolved until mid-March.”

In mid-March, China approved all 300-plus US pork plants seeking registration renewals to access the Chinese market for another five years.

However, creating a new obstacle, an additional 10% retaliatory duty on US pork entering China has been in place since March 10. This increased China’s effective tariff rate on US pork to 47%, while most competitors’ products are tariffed at 12%, explained USMEF. As of April 10, China’s total tariff rate on US pork and pork variety meat will increase to 81%.

When China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) approved hundreds of pork plants, several beef plants also awaited approval. USMEF said these establishments’ eligibility have not been renewed, causing the majority of US beef production to be ineligible for China.

For the month of February, US beef exports totaled 98,198 tonnes, a 5.5% drop from 2024, while value declined 4% to just over $800 million. USMEF reported year-over-year increases to South Korea, Canada, Egypt the Philippines and Panama — which notably achieved the highest value on record. Shipments were lower to Japan, China/Hong Kong and Mexico, although beef variety meat exports to Mexico improved.

“It was encouraging to see beef exports to Korea trend higher despite considerable economic and political headwinds, and Canada’s demand for US beef has been very robust to start the year,” Halstrom said. “But exports to China lost momentum in February, likely due in part to the slowdown after Chinese New Year and the questions about plant eligibility. Unfortunately, China has still failed to address the issue of beef plant renewals. This impasse definitely hit our March beef shipments even harder, and the severe impact will continue until China lives up to its commitments under the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.”

China also announced additional retaliatory duties of 34%, which will take effect April 10.

US tariffs have created uncertainty for buyers of US red meat in other destinations as well, Halstrom added.

“USMEF is hopeful that instead of retaliating, other trading partners will choose to lower trade barriers for US exports,” he said. “This would certainly ease the concerns of importers and reduce volatility in the global markets.”

While pork and beef exports may have dropped below year-ago levels, February lamb muscle cuts jumped 42% from 2024 to 214 tonnes, valued at $1.12 million, a 13% increase. Demand in Mexico fueled the segment’s success, as shipments to the United States’ southern neighbor climbed 133% to 126 tonnes, valued at just over $400,000. With a wider range of lamb cuts, such as shoulder and flap meat, gaining popularity in Mexico’s foodservice sector, exports to Mexico during the first two months of 2025 climbed 55% to 246 tonnes, valued at $856,000. Shipments to the Caribbean also trended higher, led by growth in Trinidad and Tobago and the Leeward-Windward Islands.