Beef Export Value Remained Strong in July; Pork Exports Below Year-Ago

July exports of U.S. beef climbed 6% year-over-year in value while volume was steady, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Although restrictions related to a finding of pseudorabies virus (PRV) were removed in mid-to-late July, pork exports - especially pork variety meats - were still significantly impacted, which contributed to July results trending lower than a year ago.

Beef exports totaled 89,139 metric tons (mt), steady with last July, while value was 6% higher at $796.7 million. The value increase was driven primarily by another outstanding month for Taiwan, as well as strong results in Mexico, Japan, the Middle East, Colombia, the Caribbean and the ASEAN region. July shipments to China rebounded slightly from last year's minimal volumes, but remained far below the levels seen in previous years.

For January through July, beef exports were 8% below last year's pace at 634,788 mt, while value was down 2% to $5.53 billion. When excluding China from these results, exports increased 6% in value and were down just 1% in volume from a year ago.

"Despite significant headwinds, global demand for U.S. beef remains impressively resilient," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "Technical barriers and uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on exports to China, but we are hopeful that market access will be restored soon. In the meantime, U.S. beef is capitalizing on growth opportunities in Asian and Western Hemisphere markets, as well as in the Middle East."

July pork exports totaled 224,305 mt, down 6% from a year ago, while value also fell 6% to $641.8 million. Shipments increased to Japan, Central America, Colombia and Canada in July, but these results were offset by lower exports to Mexico, China, South Korea, Oceania and the ASEAN region.

Through the first seven months of the year, pork exports remained 2% above last year's pace at 1.73 million mt, valued at $4.86 billion (up 1%).

"Putting the PRV-related restrictions on pork variety meats behind us was absolutely critical for the U.S. industry, and we appreciate USDA's efforts in getting that situation fully resolved," Halstrom said. "Exports to Mexico rebounded in July, but were still below year-ago as it took time to resume production and shipments after the restrictions were lifted mid-month. China also heightened inspections of U.S. pork variety meats and this led to delays clearing shipments, but this obstacle was also recently lifted."

Taiwan, Mexico and Japan fuel increase in July beef export value

July beef exports to Taiwan reached 5,293 mt, up 14% from a year ago, while value climbed 38% to $70.6 million - the second consecutive month that exports to Taiwan topped $70 million. For January through July, exports to Taiwan were 11% above last year's pace at 36,147 mt, valued at $429.2 million (up 15%).

Beef exports to Mexico totaled 18,947 in July, up 19% from a year ago and the highest since March, while value increased 8% to $119.3 million. Through July, shipments to Mexico increased 2% in volume (124,418 mt) and 3% in value ($781.8 million). Mexico is the leading volume destination for beef variety meat, and USDA data show large year-over-year increases in those shipments - 76,510 mt, up 17%, with value up 29% to $228.5 million. However, USMEF anticipates a correction to this year's data that will likely reallocate the dramatically higher beef variety meat volumes to beef muscle cuts. Adjustments are also likely to affect the reported product mix for Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Until these revisions are made, the combined beef and variety meat export data should be utilized.

In Japan, July beef exports were 4% below last year in volume at 20,104 mt, but value increased 9% to $170.8 million. For January through July, exports to Japan were 7% below last year's pace in volume (134,580 mt) but just 1% lower in value at $1.07 billion.

Other January-July results for U.S. beef exports include:

• Fueled by rebounding demand in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, July beef exports to the Middle East totaled 3,549 mt, up 3% from a year ago, while value surged 51% to $22.1 million. Although July exports to Saudi Arabia were steady with last year, shipments have doubled from a year ago over the past four months (to 575 mt), since Saudi Arabia agreed to remove an export verification program that limited access to the market. For January through July, due in part to challenges related to the military conflict in the region, exports to the Middle East were 13% below last year's pace at 25,698 mt, valued at $130.2 million (down 6%).

• July beef exports to Colombia reached 450 mt, up 76% from a year ago, while value more than doubled to $4.3 million (up 112%). Through July, exports to Colombia were up 39% in volume (2,968 mt) and 91% in value ($34.9 million). With exports also increasing to Peru (4,404 mt, up 40%, valued at $27.8 million, up 38%), January-July shipments to South America were up 8% to 12,237 mt, while value climbed an impressive 27% to $105.9 million.

• Led by growth in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and the Netherlands Antilles, July beef exports to the Caribbean reached 2,773 mt, up 13% from a year ago, valued at $32.4 million (up 33%). January-July exports to the region were 9% higher in volume (20,253 mt) and increased 26% in value ($231.7 million).

• With beef exports to Indonesia increasing from last year's minimal levels, shipments to the ASEAN region were valued at $25.1 million in July, up 14% from a year ago, despite a 15% decline in volume. January-July exports to the region were up 22% in volume (20,203 mt) and 41% in value ($183.6 million). In addition to the rebound in Indonesia, exports were also sharply higher to Vietnam.

• While Korea remains the leading value destination for U.S. beef, exports slowed in July, falling 21% from a year ago to 15,754 mt, while value was down 11% to $165 million. Through July, exports to Korea were down 11% to 129,897 mt, valued at $1.31 billion (down 6%). Korea's central bank has recently taken actions aimed at curbing inflation and bolstering the won, which had fallen to historic lows versus the U.S. dollar. This should restore some buying power for Korean importers in the months ahead. Australian beef also faces a higher tariff rate in Korea through the end of this year, having exceeded the threshold established in the Korea-Australia FTA in late July. U.S. beef has zero-duty access to Korea.

• As noted above, July beef exports to China increased from the minimal levels posted a year ago but still totaled just 2,532 mt, valued at $21 million. While China renewed registrations for U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities in May, following the summit meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, many plants remain suspended and most exporters are reluctant to ship to China until clarity is achieved regarding residue testing and other potential obstacles.

• Beef export value equated to $421.07 per head of fed slaughter in July, up 14% from a year ago. The January-July average was $430.25 per head, up 7%. Exports accounted for 12.5% of total July beef production, up from 11.9% a year ago. The January-July ratio was 12.9% of total production, down from 13.3% during the same period last year.

Pork exports trended lower in July, but remain higher year-to-date

Pork exports to Japan continued to build momentum in July, climbing 10% from a year ago to 29,239 mt, while value increased 5% to $110.9 million. January-July results for Japan show a 16% increase to 218,946 mt, valued at $832.1 million (up 11%). The U.S. industry continues to capitalize on merchandising opportunities for the pork loin - the largest volume item for Japan. These opportunities have expanded in part because of Japan's suspension of imports from Spain, due to African swine fever (ASF).

Led by longtime mainstay markets Honduras and Guatemala and robust growth in Costa Rica, pork exports to Central America are reaching new heights in 2026. July shipments totaled 16,155 mt, up 11% from a year ago, while value also increased 11% to $52.4 million. July volumes were the second largest on record for both Guatemala (4,226 mt) and Costa Rica (2,731 mt). Through July, exports to the region increased 10% to 113,892 mt, valued at $376.1 million (up 14%). Even with pork exports to Canada rebounding in 2026, Central America has overtaken Canada as the fifth largest volume destination for U.S. pork.

July pork exports to Colombia reached 10,375 mt, up 5% from a year ago, while value increased 12% to $30 million. Bouncing back from a slow start to the year, January-July exports to Colombia are now on a record pace for both volume (77,163 mt, up 1%) and value ($223 million, up 3%).

Other January-July results for U.S. pork exports include:

• As noted above, July pork exports to leading market Mexico were still impacted by the now-removed PRV-related restrictions on U.S. pork offal. July shipments to Mexico totaled 89,421 mt, down 3% from a year ago, while value also fell 3% to $221.2 million. July shipments of pork variety meats declined 13% year-over-year in volume (11,924 mt) and 10% in value ($22.9 million). For January through July, total exports to Mexico fell slightly below last year's record pace at 665,886 mt (down 2%), valued at $1.52 billion (down 1%).

• Despite recent U.S.-Canada trade tensions, Canada's demand for U.S. pork has recovered in 2026. July exports totaled 14,411 mt, up 10% from year ago, while value increased 2% to $57.5 million. Through July, exports to Canada were 8% above last year's pace in volume (105,711 mt) and 5% higher in value ($422.5 million).

• Although July pork exports to the Dominican Republic were 8% below last year at 6,693 mt and value fell 4% to $20.5 million, exports to the DR remain on a record pace in 2026. Through July, shipments were 24% above last year in both volume (65,211 mt) and value ($190.8 million). With exports also trending higher to the Bahamas and the Leeward-Windward Islands, January-July shipments to the Caribbean increased 14% from a year ago in both volume (83,716 mt) and value ($255 million).

• The flipside of Spanish pork losing access to Japan, as well as to other Asian markets such as Taiwan and Malaysia, is that Spain is now shipping much larger volumes at lower prices to Korea, which recognizes ASF regionalization for Spain. This has impacted demand for imported pork from other suppliers, including the United States. Through July, pork exports to Korea were 8% below last year at 123,040 mt, valued at $403.2 million (down 7%).

• Pork export value equated to $62.53 per head slaughtered in July, $3 higher than the previous month but still down 6% from a year ago. January-July export value equated to $66.06 per head, up 1% from a year ago. Exports accounted for 28.4% of total pork production and 24.8% of muscle cuts, down from the respective year-ago ratios of 30.7% and 26.1%. For January through July, exports accounted for 30.1% of total production (up slightly from 29.8%) and 26.4% of muscle cuts (also up slightly from 26.1%).

July lamb exports below last year; year-to-date value still higher

Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 206 mt in July, down 14% from a year ago, while value fell 6% to $1.26 million. For January through July, lamb export value increased 4% to just over $10 million, despite a 7% decline in volume (1,698 mt). The value increase was primarily driven by the Bahamas ($2.14 million, up 48%), Netherlands Antilles ($1.45 million, up 40%) and Leeward-Windward Islands ($1.04 million, up 42%).

Complete January-July export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb are available from USMEF's statistics web page.

For questions, please contact Joe Schuele or call 303-547-0030.

NOTES:

• Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat, unless otherwise noted.

• One metric ton (mt) = 2,204.622 pounds.

• U.S. pork and beef currently face retaliatory duties in China. In February 2020, China announced a duty exclusion process that allows importers to apply for relief from duties imposed in response to U.S. Section 301 duties. When an application is successful, the rate for U.S. beef can decline to the MFN rate of 12% and the rate for U.S. pork can decline to 37% (the MFN rate plus the 25% Section 232 retaliatory duty, which remains in place). But China imposed an additional 10% retaliatory duty on U.S. pork and beef on March 10, 2025, and additional retaliatory duties were announced in April 2025. China's new retaliatory duties were first announced at 34% but were later increased to 84% and further increased to 125%. The additional tariffs pushed China's effective duty rate on U.S. pork and pork variety meat to 172% and the rate for beef and beef variety meat increased to 147%. These rates were temporarily lowered to 57% for pork and 32% for beef on May 14, 2025, when the U.S. and China agreed to a temporary de-escalation to allow for further negotiations. The rates were further lowered to 47% for pork and 22% for beef on Nov. 10, 2025.

• Beginning March 4, 2025, U.S. sausages entering Canada were subject to a 25% retaliatory duty. This duty was removed effective Sept. 1, 2025.