Beef Exports Edged Higher in September; Pork Still Trending Lower

U.S. beef exports closed the third quarter on a positive note, with September volume increasing slightly from a year ago and value climbing 8%, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports were below year-ago levels for the fifth consecutive month, due in part to a sharp decline in variety meat shipments.

Led by another robust performance in Taiwan and year-over-year increases in South Korea and the Caribbean, September beef export value increased 8% to $712.4 million, while volume was up 1% to 81,310 metric tons (mt). September export value also increased to Japan, the Middle East and South America despite lower volumes, while shipments were below last year in volume and value to Mexico, Canada and Central America. Exports to China were above the minimal volume shipped a year ago, but remained far below the levels seen in previous years when U.S. beef had relatively strong access to the market.

Through the first three quarters of 2026, beef exports were steady with last year's value at just over $7 billion, while volume fell 6% to 802,460 mt.

"Beef exports were once again encouraging in September, as global customers continue to show a powerful and loyal appetite for U.S. beef," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "While consumers everywhere are feeling the pinch of higher household expenses, they still prioritize high-quality protein in their daily diet. The U.S. beef industry is well-positioned to meet this need, providing the consistent value that consumers expect, in a wide range of markets. Economic situations in those markets also vary widely. For example, U.S. beef is certainly benefiting from Taiwan's strong economic performance."

September pork exports totaled 216,353 mt, down 7.5% from a year ago, while value fell 13.5% to $591.3 million. Exports remain on a record pace to Central America, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, and September shipments were record-large to Cuba. September exports also increased year-over-year to Japan, Canada and Taiwan, but these results were offset by lower shipments to Mexico, China, Oceania and the ASEAN region.

January-September pork exports remained slightly above last year's pace at 2.17 million mt (up 0.3%), but export value slipped 2% to $6.1 billion.

"Global hog prices have come under intense pressure in recent months, and export value is feeling the impact of this situation," Halstrom said. "Domestic production has rebounded in various countries, including Mexico, and there is still a lingering impact from Mexico's suspension of U.S. pork variety meat exports earlier this year. While that impasse is now resolved, it takes time for the supply chain to recover. U.S. pork also still faces retaliatory tariffs in China, where overproduction is pressuring the market. In other regions, low-priced product from Brazil and Spain has reduced the competitiveness of U.S. pork."

Led by Taiwan, Asian markets fuel relatively strong September beef exports

Following a near-record performance in August, beef exports to Taiwan totaled 5,416 mt in September, up 23% from a year ago, while value soared 38% to $65.2 million. Through the first three quarters of the year, shipments to Taiwan were up 15% to 48,316 mt, while value climbed 20% to $580 million. With a strong finish, exports to Taiwan could reach new heights in 2026. The current full-year records for Taiwan are 64,818 mt valued at $748 million, both from 2022.

September beef exports to leading value market Korea increased 9% from a year ago to 16,184 mt, while value was 14% higher at $159.4 million. Through September, exports to Korea were 7% below last year's pace at 165,276 mt, but slipped just 1% in value to $1.67 billion. As USMEF previously reported, Korea's beef import market was skewed this year due to importers' stockpiling of frozen Australian beef in anticipation of imports triggering Korea's higher safeguard tariff rate (24% versus the normal 5%). Korea's imports from Australia surpassed the safeguard threshold in late July, expanding opportunities for U.S. beef, which has zero-duty access under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

Led by robust growth in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, the Netherlands Antilles, Leeward-Windward Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago, September beef exports to the Caribbean increased 19% from a year ago to 2,393 mt, with value soaring 43% to $29.3 million. Exports to the region closed the third quarter at 25,110 mt, up 8% from a year ago, while value climbed 26% to $292.2 million.

Other January-September export results for U.S. beef include:

• September beef exports to Japan increased slightly from a year ago in value ($123.6 million, up 1.5%) despite a 12% decline in volume (14,970 mt). Through September, exports to Japan were steady with last year's pace in value at $1.33 billion, while volume declined 8% to 166,449 mt. Japan remains slightly ahead of Korea as the leading volume destination for U.S. beef, while ranking second to Korea in value.

• Beef exports to the Middle East achieved a 34% value increase in September at $26.7 million, despite a modest decline in volume (4,329 mt, down 2%). While variety meat exports to Egypt trended lower, the Gulf Region's demand for beef muscle cuts continued to rise, especially in the United Arab Emirates, driving the large increase in value. For January through September, beef exports to the Middle East were 10% below last year in volume (33,868 mt), but increased 5% in value to $183.6 million.

• September beef exports to Chile and Colombia increased significantly from a year ago in value, pushing export value to South America 13% higher to $11.1 million. Volume to the region was down 19% to 1,225 mt. Through the first three quarters of the year, exports to South America increased 5% to 15,052 mt, while value soared 24% to $129.7 million. Growth was led by Colombia, where shipments climbed 40% in volume (4,048 mt) and 73% in value ($42.7 million).

• Beef exports to Mexico slowed in September, down 9% from a year ago in volume (15,369 mt) and 17% in value ($97.5 million). Through September, exports to Mexico were slightly ahead of last year's pace at 155,518 mt (up 1%) and steady in value at $974.9 million.

• While well above the minimal volumes shipped last September, beef exports to China remained relatively low at 3,370 mt valued at $30.9 million. Exports have recovered modestly since China renewed plant registrations in May, but more than half of U.S. beef production remains ineligible for China due to plant suspensions.

• Beef export value equated to $391.43 per head of fed slaughter in September, up 16% from a year ago. The January-September average was $426.60 per head, up 8%. Exports accounted for 11.7% of total September beef production, up from 10.9% a year ago. The January-September ratio was 12.7% of total production, down slightly from the same period last year.

September bright spots for pork include CAFTA-DR region, Colombia, Cuba

While Mexico remains by far the leading destination for U.S. pork exports, the remarkable growth run in Mexico has slowed in recent months. This is due to a combination of factors, including a rebound in domestic pork production and a slow recovery in pork variety meat volumes after exports of these products were suspended by Mexico from early May through mid-July. September exports to Mexico totaled 91,192 mt, down 14% from a year ago. Value declined 22% from last year's enormous total, but still reached $203.3 million.

For January through September, exports to Mexico fell 5% below last year's record pace in volume (847,658 mt) and were 6% lower in value ($1.92 billion).

Led by the second largest volume on record to Guatemala, as well as growth in Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama, September was another outstanding month for pork exports to Central America, which are on a record pace in 2026. September exports increased 25% in volume (16,916 mt) and 19% in value ($53 million), pushing January-September totals to 147,903 mt (up 12%) valued at $485.3 million (up 15%). These results moved Central America ahead of Canada and Korea as the fourth largest volume destination for U.S. pork in 2026, trailing only Mexico, China and Japan.

After a slow start in 2026, Colombia's demand for U.S. pork has rebounded dramatically, totaling more than 10,000 mt each month since March. September exports to Colombia climbed 18% from a year ago to 11,292 mt, valued at $31.8 million (up 6%). Through the first three quarters of the year, exports were 6% above last year's pace in both volume (101,104 mt) and value ($292.4 million).

Other January-September export results for U.S. pork include:

• September pork exports to the Dominican Republic increased 3% from a year ago to 7,417 mt, though value declined 5% to $21 million. January-September shipments to the DR remained well above last year's record pace, increasing 20% in volume (79,840 mt) and 19% in value ($233.3 million).

• Other Caribbean destinations also shined for U.S. pork in September, including record shipments to Cuba that reached 2,333 mt (up 144% from a year ago) valued at $5.6 million (up 81%). September exports also increased year-over-year to the Leeward-Windward Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Bahamas and Barbados.

• Pork exports to Japan totaled 23,040 mt in September, up 6% from a year ago, though value fell 2% to $84.8 million. January-September exports to Japan increased 13% to 264,827 mt, with value up 7% to just over $1 billion.

• Pork shipments to Canada have rebounded in 2026 and this trend continued in September, with exports up 4% from a year ago to 18,235 mt. Export value declined in September, falling 4% to $72.7 million. January-September exports to Canada climbed 6% to 139,035 mt, valued at $557 million (up 2%).

• Pork exports to Taiwan continue to trend above last year's low totals, with September exports climbing 35% to 502 mt, valued at $1.4 million. January-September exports jumped 28% to 7,765 mt, valued at $17.3 million (up 14%).

• September pork exports to Korea were steady with last year's volume at 11,311, though export value slipped 8% to $38.1 million. Through September, exports to Korea were down 8% in volume (146,307 mt) and 7% in value ($477.1 million) from a year ago.

• In China, where more than 70% of U.S. pork exports are variety meats, September exports were 19% below last year in volume (23,185 mt) and 33% lower in value ($46.4 million). Excess domestic supplies and retaliatory duties have dampened China's demand for imported pork, though January-September exports from the U.S. still managed a 6% increase over last year (when tariffs escalated to 172% in April and May) at 294,539 mt. Export value was down 7% to $607 million.

• Pork export value equated to $55.57 per head slaughtered in September, down 11% from a year ago. January-September export value equated to $64.35 per head, down 1%. Exports accounted for 26.4% of total September pork production and 23.5% of muscle cuts, down from the respective year-ago ratios of 27.8% and 24%. For January through September, exports accounted for 29.6% of total production and 29.9% of muscle cuts, each essentially steady with the same period last year.

Caribbean leads modest rebound for lamb exports

September exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 152 mt, up 17% from a year ago, while value increased 10% to $884,000. Led by growth in the Netherlands Antilles, exports to the Caribbean increased in September, offsetting lower shipments to Mexico.

January-September lamb exports were down 9% from a year ago at 1,979 mt, but value increased 1% to $11.8 million. Exports trended higher to the Bahamas, Netherlands Antilles, Leeward-Windward Islands, Costa Rica and Honduras, but declined to Mexico.

Complete January-September 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.