U.S. beef exports closed the third quarter on a positive note, with September volume increasing slightly from a year ago and value climbing 8%, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Led by another robust performance in Taiwan and year-over-year increases in South Korea and the Caribbean, September beef export value increased 8% to $712.4 million, while volume was up 1% to 81,310 metric tons (mt). September export value also increased to Japan, the Middle East and South America despite lower volumes, while shipments were below last year in volume and value to Mexico, Canada and Central America. Exports to China were above the minimal volume shipped a year ago, but remained far below the levels seen in previous years when U.S. beef had relatively strong access to the market.
Through the first three quarters of 2026, beef exports were steady with last year’s value at just over $7 billion, while volume fell 6% to 802,460 mt.
“Beef exports were once again encouraging in September, as global customers continue to show a powerful and loyal appetite for U.S. beef,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “While consumers everywhere are feeling the pinch of higher household expenses, they still prioritize high-quality protein in their daily diet. The U.S. beef industry is well-positioned to meet this need, providing the consistent value that consumers expect, in a wide range of markets. Economic situations in those markets also vary widely. For example, U.S. beef is certainly benefiting from Taiwan’s strong economic performance.”
Led by Taiwan, Asian markets fuel relatively strong September beef exports
Following a near-record performance in August, beef exports to Taiwan totaled 5,416 mt in September, up 23% from a year ago, while value soared 38% to $65.2 million. Through the first three quarters of the year, shipments to Taiwan were up 15% to 48,316 mt, while value climbed 20% to $580 million. With a strong finish, exports to Taiwan could reach new heights in 2026. The current full-year records for Taiwan are 64,818 mt valued at $748 million, both from 2022.
September beef exports to leading value market Korea increased 9% from a year ago to 16,184 mt, while value was 14% higher at $159.4 million. Through September, exports to Korea were 7% below last year’s pace at 165,276 mt, but slipped just 1% in value to $1.67 billion. As USMEF previously reported, Korea’s beef import market was skewed this year due to importers’ stockpiling of frozen Australian beef in anticipation of imports triggering Korea’s higher safeguard tariff rate (24% versus the normal 5%). Korea’s imports from Australia surpassed the safeguard threshold in late July, expanding opportunities for U.S. beef, which has zero-duty access under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
Led by robust growth in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, the Netherlands Antilles, Leeward-Windward Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago, September beef exports to the Caribbean increased 19% from a year ago to 2,393 mt, with value soaring 43% to $29.3 million. Exports to the region closed the third quarter at 25,110 mt, up 8% from a year ago, while value climbed 26% to $292.2 million.
Other January-September export results for U.S. beef include:
- September beef exports to Japan increased slightly from a year ago in value ($123.6 million, up 1.5%) despite a 12% decline in volume (14,970 mt). Through September, exports to Japan were steady with last year’s pace in value at $1.33 billion, while volume declined 8% to 166,449 mt. Japan remains slightly ahead of Korea as the leading volume destination for U.S. beef, while ranking second to Korea in value.
- Beef exports to the Middle East achieved a 34% value increase in September at $26.7 million, despite a modest decline in volume (4,329 mt, down 2%). While variety meat exports to Egypt trended lower, the Gulf Region’s demand for beef muscle cuts continued to rise, especially in the United Arab Emirates, driving the large increase in value. For January through September, beef exports to the Middle East were 10% below last year in volume (33,868 mt), but increased 5% in value to $183.6 million.
- September beef exports to Chile and Colombia increased significantly from a year ago in value, pushing export value to South America 13% higher to $11.1 million. Volume to the region was down 19% to 1,225 mt. Through the first three quarters of the year, exports to South America increased 5% to 15,052 mt, while value soared 24% to $129.7 million. Growth was led by Colombia, where shipments climbed 40% in volume (4,048 mt) and 73% in value ($42.7 million).
- Beef exports to Mexico slowed in September, down 9% from a year ago in volume (15,369 mt) and 17% in value ($97.5 million). Through September, exports to Mexico were slightly ahead of last year’s pace at 155,518 mt (up 1%) and steady in value at $974.9 million.
- While well above the minimal volumes shipped last September, beef exports to China remained relatively low at 3,370 mt valued at $30.9 million. Exports have recovered modestly since China renewed plant registrations in May, but more than half of U.S. beef production remains ineligible for China due to plant suspensions.
- Beef export value equated to $391.43 per head of fed slaughter in September, up 16% from a year ago. The January-September average was $426.60 per head, up 8%. Exports accounted for 11.7% of total September beef production, up from 10.9% a year ago. The January-September ratio was 12.7% of total production, down slightly from the same period last year.
