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Global markets help drive U.S. pork carcass value

Maximizing the value of U.S. pork.

Andy Tauer, vice president of International Market Development with the National Pork Board, says exports to Mexico hit a record in 2025.  “Overall, demand for U.S. pork has been really strong. There’s a lot of pull in the Western Hemisphere. I mentioned Mexico, but also as we think of Honduras, Columbia and Guatemala. There’s a lot of interest there.”

He says there’s strong demand for cuts that aren’t highly used by U.S. consumers. “Most of us Americans don’t like the variety meats like the tongues, snouts or other types of those products. Being able to find a value to it and not a cost center where it has to be rendered really changes that dynamic of the cutout.”

Northern Ohio pork producer Jarred Black tells Brownfield diversifying demand has a direct impact for his operation. “It’s critical that we utilize the whole hog. It’s important for the industry. It’s best for the animal that we’re raising. We don’t want anything to go to waste.”

Tauer says similar cuts are also popular in other countries in Southeast Asia.

Andy Tauer:

Jarred Black: