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USMEF: Beef variety meats shine in January, but China remains absent

Beef

January beef exports were lower than a year ago due to the prolonged lockout in China, but export value per head of fed slaughter was more than $415 – the highest since March and reflecting solid demand in other markets. Beef variety meats were a major bright spot, with export value topping the previous monthly high reached in December. according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Posted on Mar 18 ,00:30

 

Beef exports totaled 92,558 mt in January, down 10% year-over-year according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). But value fell just 3% to $780.1 million, as exports have commanded higher prices. However, prices are still not being maximized to the degree that would be possible with China back in the mix. When excluding China from the January results, exports increased 5% in volume and climbed 16% in value. January beef shipments trended higher year-over-year to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean, the ASEAN and South America, with export value also increasing to Mexico, Canada and Central America.

Beef variety meat exports were especially strong in January, increasing 6% from a year ago to 27,511 mt, while value soared 46% to a record $126 million.

“Beef variety meat value reaching new heights for the second consecutive month is great news for cattle producers and for the entire supply chain,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “With cattle numbers being tight, it is more critical than ever to maximize the value of every animal. And while much of this export growth was driven by tongues and skirts going to Japan, demand was strong in a wide range of markets.”

As noted above, January exports of U.S. beef variety reached 27,511 mt, up 6% from a year ago and the highest since September 2021, while export value reached a record $126 million (up 46%). Shipments to Japan soared 88% to 6,137 mt (also the highest since September 2021), while value climbed $54.7 million – up 84% and the highest since November 2021. Variety meat exports also increased year-over-year to Korea, Taiwan, Peru, Chile and South Africa. Exports to Mexico were down slightly in volume but still increased in value.

Total beef and beef variety meat exports to Japan reached 19,956 mt in January, up 5% from a year ago, valued at $149.5 million (up 7%).

The U.S. and Taiwan have completed a reciprocal trade deal that removes barriers for U.S. beef, though these favorable terms have not yet been implemented. Beef exports to Taiwan raced to an outstanding start to the year, reaching 5,631 mt valued at $63 million. This was 79% higher in volume and 63% higher in value than the low totals posted in January 2025.

January beef exports to leading value market Korea totaled 19,482 mt, up 4% from a year ago, while value increased 6% to $192.6 million. This marked the first month in which U.S. beef entered the market duty-free under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, with tariffs having phased to zero over 15 years. Pre-FTA, Korea tariffed U.S. beef at 40%. Australia is expected to trigger its safeguard on exports to Korea by mid-year. Retailers are looking to secure more U.S. beef to minimize the impact of higher tariffs on Australian beef in the second half.

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

• Beef exports to the Middle East were down 12% from a year ago to 4,488 mt, mainly due to lower variety meat shipments to Egypt, but export value still increased 1% to $21.7 million. Exporters serving the region received positive news this week when Saudi Arabia confirmed that it will eliminate burdensome regulations that have hampered U.S. exports for more than a decade. Saudi Arabia was once a $30 million per year market for U.S. beef with tremendous potential for further growth – possibly in the $100 million to $150 million range – but took less than $10 million in U.S. exports last year. The military conflict with Iran has impacted exporters’ options for shipping to the Middle East, which will be reflected in later months’ export results.
• Beef exports to Central America set a value record in 2025, topping $200 million for the first time despite a slight decline in volume. This trend continued in January, as exports to the region soared 22% in value ($19.2 million) on slightly lower volume (1,910 mt, down 1%). January exports to Guatemala were nearly $10 million, up 33%.
• Led by growth in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, January beef exports to the Caribbean reached 2,962 mt, up 7% from a year ago, while value soared 30% to $32.1 million.
• Fueled by larger shipments to Indonesia and Vietnam, January beef exports to the ASEAN increased 24% from a year ago to 2,303 mt, while value was 7% higher at $16.8 million. While U.S. exports to Indonesia have recently rebounded after being effectively locked out of the market, the current level of business only scratches the surface of Indonesia’s tremendous potential. As USMEF has previously reported, a recently announced reciprocal trade deal with Indonesia includes substantial market access gains for U.S. beef. More details are in this USMEF statement.
• Though small volumes of still-eligible pipeline product continue to be exported to China, U.S. beef remains effectively locked out of the world’s largest import market. January exports to China were minimal, down 94% from nearly 16,000 mt last year, while value was down 97% from $135 million. China’s newly implemented beef safeguards will also have major effects in the global beef market later this year, likely pushing more Brazilian and Australian beef into the U.S. and international markets.
• Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $415.15 in January, up 12% from a year ago and the largest since March 2025, prior to losing access to China. Exports accounted for 12.8% of total January beef production, up slightly from a year ago. The ratio of muscle cuts exported was 9.6%, down from 10.2% in January 2025.

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