Beef Finds Value Around the World

Beef Finds Value Around the World

Demand for beef doesn't end at the domestic meat case or restaurant menu. Around the world, customers value different cuts, flavors and eating experiences - and those preferences create opportunities to capture more value from every carcass.

Building Demand Market by Market

Through Beef Checkoff-funded foreign marketing efforts, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) works in key international markets to build relationships, identify opportunities and position U.S. beef with buyers who value its quality. The goal is straightforward: move each beef cut or variety meat item to the market where it brings the strongest value.

In many cases, that market is here at home. But international customers are often willing to pay more for some cuts and variety meats because those products fit their food culture, menus and consumer demand.

Adding Value

That matters to producers because export value is reflected in the overall value of fed cattle. In 2025, U.S. beef export value equated to $391.94 per head of fed slaughter. While that was down from the year before due largely to limited access to China for much of 2024, export value strengthened in early 2026. Through January-March, export value averaged $431.66 per head, up 2 percent from that period in 2025. In March, export value reached $456.56 per head, the highest monthly average in 12 months¹.

Today's cattle market is being shaped by tight supplies, consistent beef demand and consumers who continue to pay for beef at higher prices.

Exports are one part of that demand picture. They are not the only reason cattle prices are strong, but they help broaden demand for beef beyond what we sell here at home. That is especially important for cuts and variety meats that may not command the same value here in the states. When more parts of the carcass find customers who value them, exports help support the overall value of the animal - and that contributes to a stronger demand base for beef.

Variety Meats Are a Bright Spot

One of the clearest examples of export value is beef variety meats, such as liver, heart, tongue, kidneys, tripe, and more. These products often command limited value in the domestic market, but in many countries, they are in strong demand. In 2025, beef variety meat exports equated to 25 pounds per head of fed slaughter, valued at more than $45 per head. Tongue exports alone accounted for more than $15 per head, with tripe, livers and lips adding additional value¹.

That demand has continued into 2026. Variety meats like beef tongues and livers have been a major bright spot, with export value setting a monthly record in December 2025, then topping that mark again in January and March. In March, beef variety meat export value reached $135.6 million, up 50 percent year-over-year. March volume reached 29,062 metric tons, the largest monthly total in nine years¹.

Matching the Cut to the Market

Different markets value different parts of the animal. In Japan, beef tongues are highly valued. In Japan and Korea, thinly sliced short plate is used in beef bowls, hot pot and tabletop grilling. Egypt is a market for livers, and Mexico is an important destination for many round and chuck cuts as well as variety meats.

Those differences help U.S. beef compete globally. While U.S. beef is often higher priced than beef from other exporting countries, international customers continue to value its taste, quality and consistency. That premium position helps create demand beyond commodity pricing alone.

Opportunities Ahead

Today, Japan is the leading volume market for U.S. beef and second in value, while South Korea leads in value and ranks second in volume. Mexico, Canada and Taiwan complete the top five in both value and volume. Looking ahead, established markets like Korea, Japan and Taiwan remain priorities, while improved access in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia creates new opportunities. If U.S. beef regains access in the Chinese market, recapturing market share in China will also be a major focus. Africa also represents a long-term growth opportunity that will require steady market development.

Bringing it Back to the Producers

Exports are not a replacement for strong domestic demand. They are an additional way to strengthen the value of U.S. beef by matching more cuts and variety meats with the customers who value them most. From tongues in Japan to short plate in Korea and livers in Egypt, global demand helps make more out of every carcass. Demand does not stop at our borders - and neither does the opportunity to bring more value back to U.S. cattle producers.