Beef Exports Down 12% in Early 2026 on China Lockout

U.S. beef exporters’ inability to access the Chinese market more than accounts for a 12% decline in export volume for the first two months of the year.

In February, beef export volume was 85,066 metric tons (mt), a drop of 13% from the same month last year, according to USDA data analyzed by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

For January-February, exports are 12% off the 2025 pace at 177,624 mt, a loss of more than 23,000 mt. By value, exports through two months are down 6%, or about $102 million, to $1.5 billion.

U.S. beef exports to China have been effectively halted since March 2025, when Beijing declared the export registrations expired for nearly all U.S. beef facilities. The action caused a drop of $1.1 billion in 2025 beef sales to China.

For the first two months of 2026, the lost exports to China amount to 27,000 mt worth $240 million, compared to January-February 2025.

Exports were also down to the top four remaining beef destinations: by low single digits to Japan, Mexico and South Korea and 13% to Canada.

Exports by volume jumped 121% for January-February to Hong Kong, which is a separate trade entity from mainland China. Several small destinations booked large volume increases: Taiwan 38%, Indonesia 50%, Vietnam 55%, Peru 102%, the Dominican Republic 32%, Colombia 73%, Guatemala 17%.

Total exports for February included an increase in variety meat of 40% by value, or $106 million.