LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — U.S. pork exports turned in one of their strongest months on record in March, while beef exports showed a split picture as strong variety meat demand helped offset weakness in muscle cuts. According to USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, pork exports reached 285,567 metric tons, up 6 percent from a year ago.
Pork export value climbed 4 percent to $803.2 million, the second highest on record. USMEF reported stronger March shipments to Mexico, Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and Taiwan, with first-quarter pork exports up 3 percent in both volume and value from last year.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Pork exports are providing strong support to the hog sector, while beef variety meats are adding critical value despite weaker total beef shipments.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Beef exports were weaker overall. March beef exports totaled 97,731 metric tons, down 11 percent from a year earlier, while value slipped 8 percent to $844.7 million. USMEF said the ongoing loss of business in China remained a major drag, though results improved in Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Indonesia.
The strongest beef bright spot was variety meats. March beef variety meat exports jumped 24 percent to 29,062 metric tons, and value surged 50 percent to a record $135.6 million.
USMEF said the beef trade is still finding value in alternative markets, while pork demand remains broad-based across both the Western Hemisphere and key Asian destinations.
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.
January 23, 2026 04:40 PM
·
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
January 23, 2026 03:39 PM
·
Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
January 23, 2026 01:48 PM
·
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain challenges facing agriculture as snow, sleet and ice threaten most of the Eastern U.S.
January 23, 2026 01:36 PM
·
Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
January 22, 2026 06:34 PM
·
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.
January 22, 2026 12:40 PM
·
