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USMEF: Variety meat exports remain a bright spot for U.S. beef

Beef

February exports of U.S. beef exports trended lower, due in large part to continued lack of access to China, shipments of beef variety meat posted another strong increase.

Posted on Apr 10 ,00:25

February beef exports totaled 85,066 mt, down 13% year-over-year, while value fell 10% to $722.7 million. Much of this gap was due to China’s lockout of U.S. beef, though February shipments were also below last year to Korea, Japan and Canada. Exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, Taiwan, the Caribbean and South America, while demand was steady in the Middle East and Central America. Excluding China, February exports were 4% higher in value and just 1% below last year’s volume.

The February totals included 24,081 mt of beef variety meat, up 12% from a year ago, while the value of these shipments soared 40% to $106 million.

“Beef variety meat exports continue to trend higher, especially on the value side, and that makes such an important contribution to the value of every animal,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Where U.S. beef has access, muscle cut demand has held up well and provides a great complement to our robust domestic market. But for beef variety meats, export markets are really the whole ball game, so it’s great to see these products achieve broad-based growth.”

Through the first two months of 2026, beef and beef variety meat exports were 12% below last year’s pace in volume (177,624 mt) and 6% lower in value ($1.5 billion). Excluding China from these results, exports increased 2% to 175,915 mt, while value was 10% higher at $1.49 billion.

January-February exports of beef variety meat increased 9% from a year ago to 51,592 mt, while export value climbed 43% to $232 million.

Variety meat exports remain a bright spot for U.S. beef

As noted above, beef variety meat exports have strengthened in recent months, reaching a monthly value record in December ($122 million) and breaking that record in January ($126 million). February variety meat exports were also robust, climbing 12% from a year ago to 24,081 mt, while value surged 40% to $106 million. Through February, beef variety meat exports increased 9% to 51,592 mt, with value up 43% to $232 million. While much of this growth was driven by tongues and skirts to Japan, shipments also increased to Korea, South Africa, Peru, Colombia and Vietnam. Exports to Mexico were steady in volume but increased 13% in value.

Total February beef exports to Mexico edged 2% higher year-over-year in volume (17,590 mt), while value increased 11% to $124.3 million. Through February, shipments to Mexico increased 12% in value ($248.8 million) despite a 2% decline in volume (36,426 mt).

Beef exports to Taiwan reached 4,200 mt in February, up 5% from a year ago, though value fell 9% to $44.4 million. Through February, shipments to Taiwan climbed 38% to 9,831 mt, while value increased 23% to $107.4 million. As noted above, the U.S. has reached a reciprocal trade agreement with Taiwan that will eliminate tariffs on U.S. beef and reduce technical barriers, but implementation is pending. 

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

• Led by surging demand in the Dominican Republic and robust growth in the Bahamas and Netherlands Antilles, February beef exports to the Caribbean increased 8% to 2,758 mt, while value soared 29% to $33.8 million. January-February exports to the region were 8% higher in volume (5,720 mt) and up 30% in value ($65.9 million). 
• February beef exports to South America reached 1,758 mt, up 17% from a year ago, with value surging 62% to $15.2 million. Through February, beef exports to South America increased 15% to 3,312 mt, valued at $27.6 million (up 43%). The vast majority of U.S. red meat exports to South America are to free trade agreement partners Colombia, Peru and Chile. But through a reciprocal trade agreement announced in March (but not yet implemented), Ecuador could also develop into a significant destination for U.S. beef and pork.
• Beef exports to Central America were steady in volume in February at 1,928 mt, while export value climbed 25% to $21.2 million. January-February exports followed a similar trend, climbing 23% from a year ago in value ($40.3 million) despite a 1% decline in volume (3,838 mt). In addition to leading market Guatemala, value growth was led by Costa Rica and Panama.
• Rebounding from last year’s minimal volumes, January-February beef exports to South Africa climbed nearly 1,400% to 810 mt, while value increased 783% to $1.2 million. Nearly all beef exports to South Africa are currently variety meat, mainly kidneys and livers.
• Beef exports to the Middle East have seen mixed results in 2026, with January-February shipments down 8% in volume (8,727 mt) but rising 13% in value ($45.2 million). While the military conflict with Iran creates challenges in the Middle East, exporters serving the region received excellent news this week when Saudi Arabia lifted longstanding technical barriers for U.S. beef. USMEF expects expanded access to Saudi Arabia to pay significant dividends, with exports exceeding $100 million annually. 
• Despite a strong increase in variety meat demand, total January-February beef exports to Japan were 3% below last year in both volume (37,087 mt) and value ($275.3 million).
• Following a strong January performance, beef exports to Korea took a step back in February, falling 14% in volume (16,032 mt) and 16% in value ($151.1 million). Through February, shipments to Korea were 5% lower in both volume (35,513 mt) and value ($343.7 million).
• Beef export value equated to $422.87 per head of fed slaughter in February, down 2% from a year ago but the highest in 11 months. The January-February per-head average was $418.83, up 5% from a year ago. Exports accounted for 12.9% of total February beef production and 9.9% for muscle cuts, down from 14.2% and 11.9%, respectively, a year ago. The January-February ratios were 12.8% and 9.7%, down from 13.4% and 10.9%, respectively, in the first two months of 2025.

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