The United States, a global power in the pork industry

SOURCE: Interpoc and USDA.

The United States has positioned itself as a strong world power in the pork industry. Its significance in the production, consumption and export of pork places it as a global benchmark. This positioning is due to an efficient production structure and strong domestic demand. However, in recent years, trade conflicts and tariff policies have introduced new challenges for this strategic industry.

Size of the industry

In 2024, the United States produced 12.7 million tons of pork, making it the world's second-largest producer, behind only China. Its industry is supported by some 60,000 farms, with a total census of 76.1 million pigs. This translates into an average of 1,268 pigs per farm, reflecting a highly technical and professionalised production system.

The magnitude of the industry is also seen in the number of annual slaughters, which exceeds 137 million heads, and in the remarkable contribution to the national economy. It generates around 577,000 jobs, including direct, indirect and induced, and contributes about 64,000 million dollars to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). This economic relevance makes the U.S. pork industry a key part of its agri-food structure.

Consumption

The United States also consumes large amounts of pork. In 2024, domestic consumption stood at 10.34 million tonnes, of which 94.3% was supplied by domestic production. Only 5.7% of consumption came from imports, demonstrating a high food self-sufficiency level in this area.

Per capita consumption of pork is around 30.8 kilos per year, which places it as the second most consumed meat in the country, behind chicken (58.2 kg/person/year) and ahead of beef (37.5 kg/person/year). In addition, according to OECD and FAO projections, this consumption is expected to grow at a rate of 1.3% per year between 2024 and 2034, driven by a strong HORECA channel (hotels, restaurants and cafeterias) and by a growing interest of the U.S. consumer in gourmet and differentiated products.

The consumption of pork derivatives is also of great relevance. It was estimated at 2.6 million tons, valued at nearly 20,500 million dollars in 2023. Cured hams and shoulders accounted for 1.5 million tonnes, while sausages and vacuum-packed products reached 920,000 tonnes.

Image of a fattening farm in the United States with Rotecna's SF3D feeder. Photo: Rotecna.

Market

The great North American country covers its domestic demand and is the world's largest exporter of pork, with around 3.03 million tonnes exported in 2024. Despite this, it also imports certain products to complement its domestic offer. In this regard, that same year, imports reached 640,500 tonnes, with an approximate value of 2,126 million euros.

Its leading suppliers were Canada (66.8%), Mexico (9.3%), Brazil (7.5%), Denmark (4.8%) and Italy (2.9%). Spain ranked seventh with a share of 1.8%, with exports of 10,070 tonnes worth €79.4 million. This high unit value (€7.9/kg) is due to the high component of cured products in the Spanish supply, such as hams and sausages, representing 23% of the volume and 43% of the total value exported.

Despite the low market share, Spanish exports to the U.S. grew by 40% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting a growing interest in Iberian products, especially in areas with a sizeable Hispanic population or lofty purchasing ability.

Trade conflicts and tariff policies

The U.S. pork industry faces significant challenges from trade conflicts and tariff policies. Tensions with countries such as China have affected the flow of exports, especially after the imposition of mutual tariffs by the Trump administration. These protectionist measures have increased export costs and, in some cases, led to the cancellation of large orders. In addition, rivalry with other major producers, such as Brazil and the European Union, complicates the competitiveness of U.S. products. Despite this, the industry continues to look for alternatives through market diversification and product innovation to counteract these obstacles.

Prospects

Pork production is expected to reach $28.1 billion, a slight decline of 1.2% from 2024, while domestic consumption will remain relatively stable, with a slight increase projected to $51.2 per capita. Despite being the world's largest exporter, with 3.03 million tonnes in 2024, the industry is affected by international competition and tariff policies. Exports could decline due to the dollar's appreciation and rivalry with markets such as Brazil and Spain. In addition, production costs continue to be challenging because they influence profit margins. However, producers will seek to adapt through innovation and market diversification, which presents challenges and opportunities.