Mike Pearson talks about the strong pork exports the past six months, but the real surprise was in April.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation released a report saying there was a 14 percent increased in cork exports-- up from 2023.

The country with the biggest demand was Mexico with the fifth largest export on record. There was also an increase of 34 percent in pork value.

Dan Halstrom, CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said Mexico was the pace setter but it was only part of the export story. Other countries contributed to increase including: South Korea, Columbia, Southeast Asia, Central America and Australia.

The April data, showed each hog had a $72.46 value per hog-- an increase of 7 percent from 2023. It's a reminder of the importance of exports to the pork industry.

Notably, Mexico was also the leader of imports to the beef industry in April giving it the highest value in three years.

There was also a big demand in beef from the Food Service sector to major vacation destinations in April with imports to the Caribbean, Middle East and South East.

Lamb exports-- the volumes were the lowest since December in the April report. A total of 224 metric tons-- a 33 percent increase from 2023 was exported. The value was also 21 percent higher in April.

The most lamb exports went to Mexico and the Caribbean. Shipments also went to Canada, Philippines and Taiwan.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.