DENVER — US pork exports remained steady with last year’s volume and edged higher in value, according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Meanwhile, beef exports dropped below last March’s large volume, but export value hit the highest quantity since June 2023.

March pork exports totaled 260,430 tonnes, up 0.1% from a year ago, with value at $740.8 million, a 2% year-over-year jump and the seventh highest on record. Pork export value per head slaughtered averaged $70.85, the highest in nearly three years and the fifth highest on record.

Shipments to South Korea were among the largest on record, while exports also increased substantially to Central America, Colombia, Oceania, Vietnam and Malaysia. Although shipments to leading market Mexico trended lower in March, first-quarter exports to Mexico were still ahead of last year’s record pace, USMEF noted.

“Another strong month on the pork side, and one that illustrates the importance of export market diversification,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer. “Shipments to Mexico cooled a bit, reflecting the earlier timing for Easter, and yet the global total remained very robust through increases to Korea, Colombia, Central America and Australia. When export value exceeds $70 per head slaughtered, that’s welcome news for pork producers and the entire supply chain.”

As for beef exports in March, USMEF reported a total of 108,218 tonnes, down 10% from the hefty volume posted last year but still the highest in 2024. Export value was down slightly from a year ago (-0.3%) at $889.9 million, which was the highest in nine months. March export value equated to $454.62 per head of fed slaughter, the highest since mid-2022.

Highlights on the beef side include the third largest volume on record to the Caribbean, an all-time high to the Dominican Republic and strengthened shipments to the Middle East. Volumes to South Korea and Mexico were below last year, but export value still trended higher.

“Beef demand in the Caribbean was outstanding in March, and we continued to see a strong rebound in the Middle East as well as some positive signs in Korea and Japan, where the foodservice recovery is making progress,” Halstrom said. “It’s a challenging situation in terms of supply availability, but the value US beef commands internationally is very encouraging — as evidenced by March export value climbing to more than $450 per head.”

US lamb exports in March fell 36% below last year at 246 tonnes, while export value dipped 5% to $1.5 million. However, shipments to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada all trended significantly higher year-over-year.