US pork exports finish 2023 at record-breaking level

Pork exports surged significantly in Dec. 2023, contributing to a record-breaking year. With a 10% increase from the previous year, reaching 268,399 metric tons (mt), it marked the largest volume since May 2021 and the eighth largest on record. Mexico produced record-breaking figures in both volume and value, standing out as a key market once again. The strong December results pushed 2023 export value to a record $8.16 billion, up 6% from 2022. Export volume was 2.91 million mt, up 8% year-over-year and the third largest on record. Courtney Knupp, vice president of international market development for the National Pork Producers Council, joins us with the latest.