U.S. beef imports: A quick look at recent trends

As U.S. cattle prices remain high and herds are the smallest since the 1950s, beef imports are rising. In 2023, U.S. imports more than doubled those of 2013. See what's trending and from which countries.

Cattle prices have reached record highs, and the cattle herd is the smallest since the 1950s. USDA predicts high domestic prices will result in increasing imports in the coming years. The U.S. is an attractive market, particularly for lean beef trimmings for ground beef. This article briefly discusses the recent spike in live animals, fresh/chilled, and frozen meat imports.

During the first half of 2024, imports of beef and live cattle soared. From January to June 2024, the U.S. imported 175,441 more head of cattle than in the same period last year, a 19% increase, reaching 1.12 million animals (Fig. 1). Over the same span, imported Fresh/Chilled and Frozen beef rose 11% and 29%, totaling 331,550 and 365,067 metric tons (MT), respectively (Fig. 1). Tight lean supplies along with high domestic beef prices help explain the growth in foreign acquisitions.

Cattle prices have reached record highs, and the cattle herd is the smallest since the 1950s. USDA predicts high domestic prices will result in increasing imports in the coming years. The U.S. is an attractive market, particularly for lean beef trimmings for ground beef. This article briefly discusses the recent spike in live animals, fresh/chilled, and frozen meat imports.

During the first half of 2024, imports of beef and live cattle soared. From January to June 2024, the U.S. imported 175,441 more head of cattle than in the same period last year, a 19% increase, reaching 1.12 million animals (Fig. 1). Over the same span, imported Fresh/Chilled and Frozen beef rose 11% and 29%, totaling 331,550 and 365,067 metric tons (MT), respectively (Fig. 1). Tight lean supplies along with high domestic beef prices help explain the growth in foreign acquisitions.