December US beef and by-product exports totaled 98,595 tons, down 10.5% year-on-year but the highest monthly volume since April. Export value reached US$ 809.2 million, 10% lower than a year ago, yet also the strongest result since April.
Muscle cut exports totaled 70,201 tons for US$ 687 million.
For full-year 2025, beef and by-product exports declined 12% in volume to 1.14 million tons and fell 11% in value to US$ 9.33 billion. However, excluding China, exports were down just 3% in volume and 0.4% in value, reflecting strengthening demand in other markets.
According to US Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom, growth in Mexico, Central America and markets such as Guatemala helped offset part of the decline. He noted that several of these destinations posted record US beef imports last year, with buyers increasingly willing to pay for quality.
Beef variety meat exports also reached a December record of US$ 122 million. Halstrom said he remains optimistic heading into 2026, noting that despite tighter cattle supplies and historically low herd numbers, strong demand continues to support US beef exports.
Source: FarmWeek
