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USMEF: April beef exports totaled 89,783 mt, down 11 percent from a year ago

Beef

Beef exports trended lower in April due to the impasse with China, along with year-over-year declines in other major markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Posted on Jun 16 ,00:30

April beef exports totaled 89,783 mt, down 11% from a year ago, while value fell 5% to $780.6 million. While prospects are brightening for U.S. beef’s return to the China market, April results still reflected a near-total lockout. April shipments were higher than a year ago to Taiwan and Egypt and increased significantly to the Caribbean and ASEAN regions and to Peru, but trended lower to other major markets. Beef variety meats were again a bright spot in April, with exports climbing 20% from a year ago to 25,314 mt, led by growth to top volume market Mexico, valued at $114.7 million (up 40%).

For January through April, beef and beef variety meat exports were 11% below the 2025 pace at 365,138 mt, and declined 5% in value to $3.13 billion. But when excluding China from these results, exports were up slightly (+0.3%) in volume and increased 7% in value.

“Global demand for U.S. beef has proven very resilient, even in the face of tight supplies and higher prices,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “But there are certainly significant headwinds, including the impact of weak currencies in Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia, and higher energy prices weighing on consumer confidence and disposable income. And while we were thrilled to see China renew U.S. beef plant registrations following the summit meeting between President Trump and President Xi, additional obstacles must also be addressed before U.S. beef’s presence in China rebounds.”

Bright spots for April beef exports include Taiwan, Egypt, Caribbean and ASEAN

April beef exports to Taiwan totaled 4,892 mt, up 9% from a year ago, while value increased 3% to $55.8 million. Through April, beef exports to Taiwan increased 19% to 19,801 mt, which value was up 11% to $224.2 million. The U.S. continues to be Taiwan’s dominant supplier of chilled beef, holding two-thirds of the chilled import market.

Fueled by growth to most islands, including the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and the Netherlands Antilles, April beef exports to the Caribbean increased 17% from a year ago to 3,275 mt, while value soared 35% to $38.6 million. January-April exports to the region were up 8% to 12,271 mt, with value climbing an impressive 29% to $141.4 million.

With shipments to Indonesia rebounding from last year’s minimal total and reaching the highest level since December, and demand strengthening in Vietnam to the highest level since October, April beef exports to the ASEAN region reached 3,555 mt, up 48% from a year ago, while value increased 50% to just under $30 million. Through April, beef exports to the ASEAN climbed 31% in volume (11,049 mt) and 38% in value ($94.4 million).

Other January-April results for U.S. beef exports include:

• Although down from the huge totals posted in March, beef variety meat exports were strong again in April at 25,314 mt, up 20% from a year ago. Export value climbed 40% to $114.7 million – the seventh consecutive month that beef variety meat value has topped $100 million. For January through April, variety meat exports increased 16% to 105,968 mt, valued at $482.3 million, with growth led by Japan (see note above), Mexico, Korea, South Africa, Peru and Vietnam. 
• April beef exports to leading value market Korea were below last year, but still exceeded $200 million in value for the second consecutive month. April shipments totaled 20,206 mt, down 14% from a year ago, while value fell 7% to $200.2 million. January-April exports to Korea were 6% below last year in volume (76,448 mt) and 4% lower in value ($753.8 million).
• Beef exports to Japan fell 22% from a year ago in April to 17,563 mt, while value was 15% lower at $140.1 million. For January through April, total exports to Japan fell 9% to 74,959 mt, valued at $577 million (down 7%). While export data show a large increase in beef variety meat volume to Japan and a sharp decline in muscle cuts, Japanese import data suggest a less dramatic shift toward variety meat. USMEF will report further on this issue as more details become available.
• Beef exports to Mexico fell 3% from a year ago in volume (17,062 mt) in April and were down 5% in value ($102.2 million). Through April, beef shipments to Mexico were steady in volume (72,860 mt) and increased 6% in value to $464.9 million. Beef variety meat exports to Mexico totaled 44,425 mt through April, up 13%, valued at $130 million, up 22%.
• April beef exports to Central America were 7% below last year at 1,967 mt, but still increased 2% in value to $18.6 million. Although down slightly through April in volume (8,067 mt, down 1%), exports to the region increased 15% in value to $81.3 million, led by value growth in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
• Beef exports to Egypt, which are almost entirely livers and other variety meat, increased 6% from a year ago in April to 2,695 mt, while value climbed 26% to $6.7 million. Through April, shipments to Egypt increased 12% in value ($28.1 million) despite a 10% decline in volume (11,888 mt).
• Exports to Peru, which are about 60% beef variety meat, reached 841 mt in April, up 60% year-over-year, while value soared 76% to just under $7 million. January-April exports to Peru have nearly doubled over last year, gaining 97% in volume (2,761 mt) and 94% in value ($19.5 million).
• Despite being lower overall, April beef exports still shined on a per-head basis. Export value equated to $415.88 per head of fed slaughter in April, up 5% from a year ago. The January-April per-head average was $427.59, up 3%. Exports accounted for 12.5% of total April beef production and 9.6% of muscle cuts – down from 13.1% and 11.1%, respectively, a year ago. The January-April ratios were 13% of total production and 9.8% for muscle cuts – each down about one-half percentage point from the same period in 2025.

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