Record value for Mexico fuels August pork exports - USMEF

Oct 16, 2023

August exports of US pork were steady year-over-year, led by another tremendous performance in Mexico, according to data released by USDA and compiled by US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). August pork exports totalled 226,519 metric tons (mt), steady with last year, while export value fell 1.5% to $649.5 million.

Through the first eight months of 2023, pork exports were 11% above last year’s pace at 1.91 million mt, valued at $5.32 billion (up 9%).

“I cannot say enough about Mexico’s remarkable demand for US pork and the critical revenue these exports drive for the US industry,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom.

“But the story of this year’s export growth extends well beyond Mexico, as demand is climbing in other Western Hemisphere destinations and the US industry is also achieving gains in several Asia-Pacific markets," he added.

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Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.