USDA’s long-delayed August export data showed a sharp downturn for US beef and variety meat products, with exports falling to 83,388 metric tons, down 19% year-over-year and the lowest monthly volume since June 2020. Export value declined 18% to $695.5 million, the weakest result since February 2021. In the case of muscle cut exports, volume reached 63,445 tons for US$ 617 million.
The decline was driven overwhelmingly by the ongoing impasse with China, which has effectively shut US beef out of the world’s largest import market. While shipments to China collapsed, exports held relatively steady to South Korea and improved modestly to markets in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
From January through August, US beef and by-product exports totaled 775,188 mt, 9.5% below last year, with export value down 9% to $6.37 billion. Loss of access to China remains the dominant factor behind the contraction.
According to USMEF, despite stable demand in other destinations, the heavy reliance on China amplifies the impact of the situation. With no resolution yet in sight, US beef processors face elevated commercial pressure and tighter access to global markets.
