September beef exports fall to lowest since 2020

After a delay in USDA meat export data for September due to the government shutdown, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) released its monthly report, indicating steady performance for US pork exports but the lowest beef exports in more than five years.

“We are encouraged by the robust and resilient global demand for US pork — especially in Mexico, but also in a broad range of international markets,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer. “The situation is obviously much more challenging on the beef side, primarily due to the ongoing impasse with the Chinese government, which continues to ignore its commitments under the US-China Phase One Agreement. US industry losses continue to mount as a result of this lockout, and relief simply cannot come soon enough.”

The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is currently conducting a Section 301 investigation into China’s implementation of the Phase One Agreement. USMEF submitted comments to the USTR detailing where the association believes China failed to hold its end of the commitment regarding red meat trade.

Total September beef exports were 80,835 tonnes, down 22% from a year ago and the lowest since June 2020. Export value reached $660.9 million, also down 22% and the lowest since February 2021.

China effectively halted beef exports, and shipments to other Asian markets also trended lower compared to the previous year. USMEF noted that, even when excluding China, beef export volume fell 11% year-over-year, in part due to lower production.

Specifically, beef exports dropped to China, Japan, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan. However, shipments increased to leading value market Korea and to Central and South America, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Africa.

Meanwhile, pork experienced more bright spots, matching year-ago value while only down slightly in volume.

September pork exports totaled 233,816 tonnes, down 2% from last year. Export value remained steady at $683.9 million. Supporting the sum was the highest value of record for Mexico — nearly $260 million.

USMEF added that exports to leading market Mexico have already topped $2 billion in value for 2025, and those to Central America are poised to reach a new annual high. January through September shipments have also increased year-over-year to Colombia, the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Vietnam.