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USMEF: November beef exports lower to most major markets

Beef

Exports of U.S. pork remained relatively strong in November but were below the large total reported in November 2024, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were significantly lower year-over-year, due in large part to the ongoing lockout by China. Lamb exports were a bright spot, posting the largest volume since July and highest value since May.

Posted on Feb 05 ,00:30

Exports of U.S. pork totaled 254,085 metric tons (mt) in November, down 7% from a year ago but the third largest of 2025. Exports were valued at $720.8 million, down 8% year-over-year but also the third highest of 2025. November exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, South Korea and the Dominican Republic and were record-large to Guatemala, but these results were offset by lower shipments to China, Japan, Canada and Colombia.

For January through November, pork exports totaled 2.68 million mt, down 3% from the record pace of 2024, while value also fell 3% to $7.65 billion. With most of this decline being due to lower variety meat shipments to China, where U.S. pork faces retaliatory duties, January-November exports of pork muscle cuts were just 1% below 2024’s record pace in both volume (2.19 million mt) and value ($6.57 billion).

“The pork export numbers continue to be impressive, with broad-based growth mostly offsetting the obstacles in China,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “It was especially gratifying to see per-head export value topping $70 in November, which is excellent news for U.S. producers and for the entire pork supply chain.”

Following an encouraging rebound the previous month, November beef exports took a step back, falling 19% from a year ago to 88,139 mt. Export value was down 16% to $736.7 million. The decline was driven primarily by China, where exports remain minimal due to China’s failure to renew registrations for U.S. beef plants and other market-closing factors, but beef exports also trended lower year-over-year to Korea, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan. November exports increased year-over-year to Indonesia, Chile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore and Colombia, and were fairly steady to Japan.

For January through November, beef exports totaled 1.04 million mt, down 12% from the same period in 2024. Export value was $8.52 billion, down 11%. But when excluding China from these results, exports were down 3% year-over-year in volume and were just 1% lower in value.

“With each day U.S. beef is locked out of the world’s largest import market, our industry misses out on millions of dollars and our competitors reap the benefits,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “It’s also frustrating that this impasse overshadows the fact that global demand for U.S. beef remains resilient, even in the face of tight supplies.”

While January-November beef exports to leading value market Korea remained slightly ahead of the 2024 pace, November exports declined 20% to 17,258 mt, valued at $176.2 million (down 15%). Through the first 11 months of 2025, exports were 1% higher in both volume (211,665 mt) and value ($2.02 billion) – topping the $2 billion mark for the fifth consecutive year.

November beef exports to Japan were nearly steady with a year ago at 18,108 mt (down 1%), while value slipped 5% to $138.5 million. Beef variety meat shipments to Japan – mostly tongues and skirts – were a bright spot at 5,495 mt, up 81% from a year ago, while value climbed 59% to $47.6 million. January-November exports to Japan (muscle cuts plus variety meat) were down 2% from a year ago in volume (219,329 mt) and were 6% lower in value ($1.62 billion).

Led by a rebound in Indonesia, where non-tariff barriers have plagued U.S. beef, November exports to the ASEAN region totaled 4,718 mt, up 23% from a year ago, while value increased 26% to $33.4 million. Through November, exports to the region were still down 18% in volume (32,574 mt) and 23% in value ($249.5 million). Prospects for growth going forward will depend largely on policy decisions by the Indonesian government, which has pledged to make substantial improvements in market access for U.S. beef but still maintains many complex import restrictions, which are unlikely to be addressed unless and until an agreement on reciprocal trade is signed and implemented.

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

• The U.S. beef industry continues to rebuild market share in the UAE, where exports had faced restrictions for several months due to halal-related issues. November exports to the UAE totaled 546 mt, up dramatically from the minimal year-ago volume, valued at $5.7 million. Prior to the recent impasse, however, it was not unusual for exports to the UAE to reach $8 to $9 million in a single month. The November results pushed January-November exports to the UAE 2% above a year ago in volume (4,432 mt) and 9% higher in value ($59.2 million).
• Rebuilding market share is also a priority in Colombia, where access for U.S. beef was restricted through much of 2024 due to avian influenza in dairy cows. November exports totaled 371 mt, up 9% from a year ago, while value soared 55% to $4.1 million. For January through November, exports to Colombia increased 24% in volume (3,863 mt) and climbed 76% in value ($36.9 million) compared to the same period in 2024.
• November beef exports to Chile were the largest since March at 806 mt, up 17% from a year ago. Export value was $7.49 million, up 12% and the highest since April 2022. Through November, exports to Chile were up 23% year-over-year in volume (6,726 mt) and were 39% higher in value ($57 million). U.S. beef is differentiated at retail in Chile and is sought after as a high-quality option. A wide range of U.S. cuts are available at retail, including outside skirt, inside skirt, coulotte, chuck flap, flank steak, ribeye, round heel muscle and short ribs.
• Although November beef exports to Central America were significantly lower than a year ago in volume (1,434 mt, down 34%), export value remained steady at $15.3 million. Through November, beef exports to the region already set an annual value record of $187.3 million, up 27% from a year ago, despite a 4% decline in volume (19,309 mt).
• November beef exports to Mexico totaled 16,390 mt, down 13% from a year ago, while value fell 4% to $102.7 million. January-November exports followed a similar trend, declining 11% from a year ago to 189,276 mt, while value was down 4% to $1.18 billion. These results included 103,459 mt of beef variety meat valued at $287.6 million, as Mexico is the largest volume destination for U.S. beef variety meat.
• Beef shipments to China were relatively strong in the first quarter of 2025, but U.S. beef has since lost access to the market when China allowed plant registrations to expire in mid-March and in the following months. China also suspended 20 facilities in the June-December period and has created a complicated market closure. January-November exports were down 64% to 58,366 mt, valued at $493.4 million (down 66%).
• November beef export value equated to $408.91 per head of fed slaughter, down 5% from a year ago. The January-November average was $391.82, also down 5%. Exports accounted for 12.7% of total November beef production and 10% of beef muscle cuts, down from 14.4% and 11.8%, respectively, in November 2024. The January-November ratios were 12.8% of total production and 10.5% for muscle cuts, each down one percentage point from the same period in 2024. The loss of the China market is also reflected in the lower dollars per head and the smaller share of production being exported.

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