The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projected a 4.8% drop in beef production for 2026, with a 1.9% decline in imports and a 4.6% drop in per capita consumption.
Last week, the first forecasts for the beef market for 2026 were released.
The report revised the production estimate for 2025 downward, falling 2.1% year-over-year compared to the 1% drop projected in April.
Meanwhile, the import projection for 2025 was raised, growing 9.4% compared to 2024.Â
The USDA forecasts that exports will fall 11.3% in 2025 and an additional 6.3% in 2026.
Domestic per capita beef consumption in 2026 will fall to 56.4 pounds, compared to 59.1 pounds at the close of this year.
