Pork Performs, Variety Meats Deliver
U.S. pork exports are showing solid momentum to start the year, and that is something the industry can build on.
According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, February pork exports were up slightly from a year ago, with volume increasing 1 percent and value also rising 1 percent. For the first two months of 2026, pork exports are running 2 percent ahead of last year’s pace in both volume and value.
That demand is translating into strong returns, with February export value topping 67 dollars per head.
Beef exports in February were lower year over year, largely due to limited access to China. But there is a clear bright spot. Beef variety meats continue to surge. February export volume climbed 12 percent, while value jumped 40 percent from a year ago.
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom says, “For beef variety meats, export markets are really the whole ball game, so it’s great to see these products achieve broad-based growth.”
The message is clear. Pork is performing well, and beef variety meats are delivering real value growth worldwide.
