US beef exports down over last year - USMEF
Beef exports totalled 98,198 mt in February
10 April 2025
2 minute read
By: February US beef exports were also below last year after trending higher in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Beef exports totalled 98,198 mt in February, down 5.5% from a year ago, while value declined 4% to just over $800 million. January-February shipments were 1% below last year’s pace at 201,038 mt, but value increased 1% to $1.6 billion.
“It was encouraging to see beef exports to Korea trend higher despite considerable economic and political headwinds, and Canada’s demand for U.S. beef has been very robust to start the year,” said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “But exports to China lost momentum in February, likely due in part to the slowdown after Chinese New Year and the questions about plant eligibility."
"Unfortunately, China has still failed to address the issue of beef plant renewals," Halstrom added. "This impasse definitely hit our March beef shipments even harder, and the severe impact will continue until China lives up to its commitments under the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement."
China also announced additional retaliatory duties of 34%, to take effect April 10. This will create further obstacles for US pork and beef exports to China. Halstrom noted that new US tariffs have also created uncertainty for buyers of US red meat in other destinations where retaliation could impact market access and prices.
“USMEF is hopeful that instead of retaliating, other trading partners will choose to lower trade barriers for US exports,” he said. “This would certainly ease the concerns of importers and reduce volatility in the global markets.”
