Top Pork Exporting Countries 2025-2026

In the global meat trade landscape, pork remains one of the most traded proteins — particularly in the form of frozen muscle cuts, variety meats and processed pork products. For importers and exporters alike, understanding who the top pork exporting countries are, how their market shares are evolving, and what forecasts exist for 2025 and 2026 is critical for planning supply chains, negotiating contracts, and managing risk.

This comprehensive article provides:

• A snapshot of the 2024 export landscape (A)

• Forecasts and outlook for 2025-2026 (B)

• A 2024–2026 comparative analysis (C)

• Key drivers, risks, and actionable considerations for trade professionals

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1. 2024 Export Landscape: Who Led the World in Pork Exports?

1.1 Volume & Value Overview

According to aggregated trade data and industry sources:

• The world’s top pork exporting countries by value in 2024 included the United States (export value approx. US$8.63 billion, with 3.03 million tons exported) as per US data. World’s Top Exports+3FAS USDA+3S&P Global+3

• According to World’s Top Exports, in 2024 the listed top 15 countries shipped ~95.2% of global pork export value. World’s Top Exports

• For 2024, the European Union’s extra-EU pork exports to third countries were ~4.21 million tons (virtually unchanged from 2023) – led by Spain, the Netherlands and others. pig333.com

• Ranking data suggests for 2024: EU (approx. 30.9% share by volume), USA (~30.4%), Brazil (~14.8%) among leading exporters. pig333.com

1.2 Top Exporting Countries (2024)

Here is a simplified list of major exporters by value or volume in 2024:

1.3 Market Share Insights

• The EU collectively remains a powerhouse in pork exports, but individual member states dominate.

• The U.S. export growth in 2024 was supported by volume increases and value gains.

• Non-EU, non-US players (e.g., Brazil, Canada) are making meaningful advances in export share, especially in value and variety meat markets.

1.4 Regional Patterns for Importers

• Many Asian markets, plus Latin America and Africa, are growing destinations for pork variety meats, offals and frozen cuts.

• The Mexican market continues to be highly important for U.S. pork. For example, U.S. pork exports to Mexico in 2024 hit ~1.15 million tons, value ~US$2.58 billion. Pork Checkoff

• When importing pork, trade professionals must track both muscle cut volumes and variety meat/offal flows.

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2. Forecasts: 2025 & 2026 Outlook for Top Pork Exporting Countries

2.1 What the Forecasts Say

• According to a Brazilian industry projection, Brazil’s pork exports are forecast to grow ~5.2% in volume in 2026, following 2.2% growth in 2025. The total pig-meat export volume for Brazil (all proteins) was projected to reach ~1.5 million tons for pork in 2026. Euromeat News+1

• For the U.S., export forecasts for pork remain elevated in 2025 with 2026 outlooks steady. S&P Global+1

• Some sources suggest that for non-EU exporters, growth in variety meat and offal is a key driver in 2025-2026 as major import markets diversify their supply.

2.2 Forecast Summary Table

2.3 Implication for Importers/Exporters

• If you’re an importer sourcing pork, tracking projected exporters with growth potential (like Brazil) is valuable for diversifying supply.

• Exporters in countries expecting slower or stagnant growth (for example some EU states) may struggle to invest in expansion and may reduce competitiveness.

• Forecasts highlight the importance of off-cuts and variety meats (especially for Asian demand) beyond standard muscle cuts.

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3. Comparative View: 2024-2026 Trends and Shifts

3.1 Graphical Trend (Conceptual)

(You can visualise this as a three-year trend chart: 2024 actual, 2025 forecast, 2026 forecast — separated by major exporting countries.)

3.2 Key Trend Insights

• Emerging exporters: Countries like Brazil are gaining scale and thus moving up the rankings.

• Changing destination markets: As China’s domestic production recovers, import reliance shifts to other Asian and African markets.

• Product mix diversification: More value-added, variety-meats, offal are being exported relative to basic muscle cuts.

• Regulatory and sustainability pressure: Exporters must adapt to stricter import standards around traceability, animal welfare and deforestation.

• Supply chain readiness becomes a differentiator: Cold chain, freight cost, and logistics reliability will determine competitiveness more than just production scale.

3.3 Relative Market Share Shift

• An example: Brazil’s share ~14.8% in 2024 (per one dataset) is expected to improve if growth continues while others stagnate. pig333.com+1

• U.S. maintains strong base but must defend market share through premium cuts, value-added exports, and emerging destination growth.

• EU member states may face downward pressure in volume unless they shift to higher‐value exports or new market diversification.

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4. Top Exporting Countries – Country Profiles & Action Points

4.1 United States

• 2024 exports: ~$8.63 billion value, ~3.03 million metric tonnes muscle + pork products. FAS USDA+1

• Major markets: Mexico, Japan, China (although China access varied).

• Strengths: large scale production, value‐added exports, strong brand.

• Action Points for buyers: Check plant eligibility for markets (eg China), value-added range, cold chain assurance.

4.2 Spain (and EU Export Block)

• For 2024: Spain exported ~1.34 million tons to third countries, leading EU non-domestic trade. pig333.com

• Strengths: proximity to other EU markets, strong logistics.

• Challenges: competition, margin pressure, regulatory burden.

• Buyers should look at: cost competitiveness, off-cuts availability, long-term supply contracts.

4.3 Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland

• Member states each contribute significantly to EU export totals. For example Netherlands exports dropped 11.5% from 2023 to 2024. World’s Top Exports

• Buyers may find opportunity in these countries if they shift strategy to specialized exports.

4.4 Brazil

• Brazil’s pig‐meat export volume in 2024 ~1.53 million tons (share ~14.8%) in one dataset. pig333.com

• Forecast growth: +2.2% in 2025 for pork production/export; +5.2% in 2026 export volume. AHDB+1

• Strengths: growth potential, emerging export infrastructure, new destination markets.

• Important for buyers: verify export processing plants, offal/variety meat protocols (eg to China), consistency of quality. Also track tariffs/ trade protocols (eg Brazil-China offal exports nearly agreed). Reuters

4.5 Canada

• Growth noted +18.8% in export value from 2023 to 2024. World’s Top Exports

• Buyers can consider Canada for diversification.

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5. Key Drivers & Risks for 2025-2026 Pork Export Market

Drivers

• Rising demand in Asia, Africa for affordable protein and variety meats.

• Trade liberalization and new export protocols (e.g., offal access).

• Improved logistics and cold chain infrastructure in exporting countries.

• Shift toward value-added pork products (marinated cuts, ready-to-cook) boosting margin.

Risks

• Disease outbreaks (African swine fever, etc.) leading to bans.

• Trade barriers, anti-dumping investigations (example: China’s probe into EU pork). Financial Times

• Rising feed and input costs narrowing margins.

• Sustainability, environmental and animal welfare standards increasingly demanded by importers.

• Logistic cost inflation (freight, reefer containers) impacting competitiveness.

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6. What Importers & Exporters Should Do

For Importers

• Diversify suppliers — don’t rely exclusively on one country or exporter.

• Qualify suppliers with strong certifications: export-plant registration, sanitary compliance, cold chain logs.

• Explore growth geographies: Brazil emerging; offal/variety meats from new exporters.

• Monitor trade policy shifts and disease alerts (subscribe to OIE/WOAH).

• Negotiate contracts with flexibility for product mix (muscle cuts + variety meat) depending on destination market demand.

For Exporters

• Scale value-added segments to defend market share (not just raw cuts).

• Develop new destination markets — Asia, Africa, Latin America — to reduce dependence on traditional buyers.

• Invest in traceability, sustainability credentials to meet premium buyer requirements.

• Monitor competitor countries and their growth potential.

• Build robust logistics and cold chain systems for reliability and reduced spoilage.

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7. Charting the Future: What to Watch in 2026

• Export protocols: e.g., Brazil signing pork offal export protocols with China could shift volumes. Reuters

• Input cost trends: feed (soy/corn) price changes will influence cost competitiveness.

• Emerging exporters: Countries currently smaller may scale fast and disrupt share (eg Vietnam, Paraguay). ReportLinker

• Sustainability regulation: Importers (especially EU) may penalize exports lacking traceability or from deforested sourcing.

• Shifts in consumer demand: Value-added pork products and convenience cuts may shape future flows more than bulk muscle cuts.

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8. Summary & Final Thoughts

• The top pork exporting countries in 2024, by value and volume, include the United States, EU exporters (Spain, Netherlands etc.), Canada and Brazil.

• Forecasts for 2025-2026 suggest continued growth, especially for emerging exporters such as Brazil, with certain countries maintaining or defending share.

• Importers and exporters must focus on diversification, certification, logistics reliability and awareness of trade and disease risk.

• While volume matters, product mix, value-added exports and supply chain strength will increasingly determine winners in the global pork trade.

For any business engaging in pork import/export, staying ahead of these trends and choosing the right partners and geographies will provide a competitive edge.

 

• “Pork Exports by Country 2024 – World’s Top Exports” World’s Top Exports

• “US PocK Exports Rise to an All-Time High in 2024” – S&P Global S&P Global

• “EU Pork Exports in 2024: Stability after the downturn” – Swine News pig333.com

• “Brazil Pork Exports … Growth 2026 Forecast” – EuroMeat News Euromeat News+1

• “Brazil, China close to signing pork offal export protocols” – Reuters Reuters

• Exports of Pork: How to Access EU / Middle East Markets
• Exports of Pork: How to Access EU / Middle East Markets