U.S. Meat Exports Target Growing Global Middle Class as USMCA Trade Talks Loom

The new year is upon us, but numbers are still coming in from 2025. That includes export data on U.S. proteins. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) told RFD-TV News that it is focused on new markets and is also targeting the global middle class in 2026.

“Of course, you know, you’ve got places like West Africa, Central Africa, that we’re starting to make some inroads on the variety meat side, but the real opportunity long term is on the muscle cut side for both beef and pork,” explained USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom. “As a global population continues to grow, the middle income, the middle class continues to grow. We are positioned in the U.S. beef, pork, and lamb industry to take advantage of that opportunity as we go forward in 2026.”

Halstrom said that right now, much of the demand growth is coming from areas with favorable trade agreements, such as Mexico, Central America, and several Asian nations.

Fair trade deals are also top of mind for the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. The group recently testified before U.S. trade officials, urging them to maintain momentum on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as that trade pact comes up for review this summer.

“Our testimony was largely focused on updating those rules of origin that fall within the USMCA to make sure that we are protecting American ranchers and the really superior product that they provide,” said Jenna Stanton. “Mexico and Canada have both been good trading partners by and large. When we take a look at the cattle side of things and on the beef side of things, we maybe see things a little bit differently, but it’s how we can make these trade agreements work.”