In June, the value of U.S. beef exports increased from a year ago despite lower volumes, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
June beef exports totaled 88,586 metric tons (mt), down 6% from a year ago. However, export value was up 3% to $790.1 million, bolstered by year-over-year increases in Japan, Taiwan, the ASEAN region, Central America, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Africa. Export value was nearly steady to the Middle East but declined to Mexico, Canada and China.
For the first half of 2026, beef export volume was 9% lower than a year ago at 545,649 mt, while value fell 4% to $4.74 billion. Much of this decline was due to the continued absence from China, where beef exports were strong in the first quarter of 2025 before China allowed U.S. facility registrations to expire. Although these registrations were renewed during President Trump’s visit to China in May, exports to China remain minimal due to plant suspensions and uncertainty over China’s residue testing – trade barriers that U.S. officials are working to resolve. When China is removed from the January-June results, beef export volume declined just 1% from the first half of last year while export value increased 6%.
“While we never want to see exports down year-over-year, global demand for U.S. beef continues to be very resilient,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s persistent efforts to resolve the outstanding issues facing U.S. beef exports to China. The economic situation throughout Asia remains challenging, with lost purchasing power in U.S. dollar terms, yet customers continue to purchase a wide range of U.S. beef cuts, at record prices. This gives us an optimistic outlook for the second half.”
Outstanding first half for beef exports to Taiwan and Latin American markets
Although June beef exports to Taiwan were lower than a year ago in volume (5,695 mt, down 9%), export value still climbed nearly 10% to $70.7 million, the highest monthly value this year. January-June exports to Taiwan totaled 30,854 mt, up 11% from the first half of last year, while value increased 12% to $358.6 million. First-half export value to Taiwan was the highest since 2022, when full-year exports to Taiwan reached a record $748 million.
While June beef exports to Japan were also modestly lower in volume (19,415 mt, down 3%) than year ago, shipments still achieved a 6% increase in value to $156.4 million. For January through June, exports to Japan trailed last year’s pace by 8% in volume (114,476 mt) and 2% in value at just under $900 million. While soaring tourism has provided a boost for Japan’s foodservice sector, the persistently weak yen and rising energy costs have dampened consumer spending. The U.S. and Japanese governments recently intervened to bolster the yen, which had reached a 40-year low versus the U.S. dollar. Japan also maintains the highest beef import duty of any of the major markets, at 20.8%, even with the U.S.-Japan trade agreement signed in 2020.
Beef exports to leading value market Korea also achieved a slight increase in value ($182.1 million, up 1%) in June despite falling 7% in volume (17,878 mt). U.S. beef has faced an unusual situation in Korea, where imports of Australian beef normally trigger Korea’s higher safeguard tariff (24% versus 5%) late in the year. However, the 2026 safeguard threshold was reached July 21. While this will expand opportunities for U.S. beef in the second half of the year, it led importers to stockpile frozen Australian beef in the second quarter and temporarily had a negative impact on demand for U.S. beef. First-half U.S. exports to Korea were 10% below last year at 114,143 mt, while value fell 5% to $1.14 billion.
Other first-half results for U.S. beef exports include:
- June beef exports to the Dominican Republic reached 1,006 mt, up 49% from a year ago and the fourth month this year that shipments exceeded 1,000 mt. Export value increased 41% to $13 million. These results capped an impressive first half for U.S. beef in the DR, with exports climbing 19% in volume (6,588 mt) and 35% in value ($92.8 million) compared to last year’s record pace. For the Caribbean region, first-half exports increased 8% to 17,480 mt, while value was up 24% to just under $200 million.
- Fueled by strong growth in leading market Guatemala, June beef exports to Central America soared 30% from a year ago to 1,198 mt, while value increased 32% to $18.5 million. First-half exports to the region increased modestly in volume (11,886 mt, up 2%) but value climbed an impressive 17% to $120.6 million.
- While U.S. beef still faces significant obstacles in Indonesia, improvements in market access have resulted in a rebound in 2026. June exports to Indonesia reached 967 mt valued at $11.1 million – up from zero exports a year ago. For January through June, exports were up dramatically from the minimal totals posted in the first half of 2025, with shipments reaching 4,927 mt valued at $40.3 million. With beef exports also increasing substantially to Vietnam, first-half shipments to the ASEAN region increased 31% from a year ago to 17,640 mt, valued at $158.4 million, up 46%.
- June beef exports to Mexico trended lower than a year ago in both volume (16,268 mt, down 5%) and value ($102.5 mt, down 4%). But first-half results were fairly steady, with exports falling 1% to 105,472 mt, but increasing 2% in value to $662.6 million.
- Beef export value equated to $414.97 per head of fed slaughter in June, up 6% from a year ago. The first-half average was $431.84 per head, up 5%. Exports accounted for 12.3% of total June beef production and 9.7% for muscle cuts, down from 13.1% and 10.9%, respectively, a year ago. The first half ratios were 13% of total production and 9.9% for muscle cuts, down from 13.5% and 11.3%, respectively.
