Pork market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the pork market volume in Northern America expanded from 13 143 thousand metric tons to 13 994 thousand metric tons. This growth was primarily driven by consumer shifts towards high-nutrition and premium meat products, coupled with increased demand for frozen and chilled pork due to its convenience and longer shelf life during the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered shopping habits and boosted household stockpiling.

After peaking in 2020, the market entered a phase of stabilization, with volume dipping to 13 474 thousand metric tons in 2022 before recovering to 13 753 thousand metric tons in 2023. The rising popularity of plant-based protein alternatives began to affect traditional meat consumption, while stricter food safety and labeling regulations added market adjustments. The recovery in 2023 was supported by persistent consumer preference for quality frozen pork and a reduction in export volumes, which increased domestic availability.

Production pork in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Pork production in Northern America has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 15 145 thousand tons of pork, marking a modest 2.9% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pork production value in Northern America has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 40 479 million US dollars, up 1.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 12.8%, averaging 4.1% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 884 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, while the most significant increase was in 2019 at 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pork from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Pork exports from Northern America have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 181 thousand tons, showing a substantial 22.7% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 20.8%, with an average annual rate of 6.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 951 thousand tons, and the largest decline that year was 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and Mexico remained the top buyers of pork from Northern America, accounting for 28.7%, 21.2%, and 8.6% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented 58.6% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Pork shipments from Northern America to international markets have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 3 156 million US dollars, up 21.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 23.6%, with an average annual growth of 7.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 427 million US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, China, and Mexico were the three main markets for pork exports from Northern America in value terms, collectively absorbing 58.4% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020

Imports pork to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, pork import volumes into Northern America have rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 30 thousand tons, a sharp 40.2% increase from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 5.9%, averaging a 2.0% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 22 thousand tons, with the largest drop that year at 19.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, pork imports into Northern America were widely distributed across partner countries. Denmark, Germany, and Poland accounted for 3.6%, 3.1%, and 2.8% of imports in volume, respectively, together making up only 9.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Pork imports into Northern America have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 570 million US dollars, a strong 23.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 25.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 429 million US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, pork imports into Northern America in value terms were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Denmark, Germany, and Poland accounted for 4.9%, 3.8%, and 2.8% of imports, respectively, together representing only 11.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020