Exports to the U.S. at 11-month low

Tariffs and uncertainty caused by the back-and-forth in U.S. trade policy led to a sharp drop in beef exports to the United States in June. Shipments totaled 6,864 tons (shipment weight), nearly half the peak of over 13,000 tons reached in April, and the lowest volume since July of last year, 11 months ago.

On the other hand, sales to China increased, supported by higher prices to that destination. China imported 15,232 tons —the highest volume in 20 months, since November 2023. Exports to China included 10,806 tons of boneless frozen beef, 4,385 tons of bone-in frozen beef, and 41 tons of chilled beef.

A noteworthy detail: 96 tons of bone-in frozen beef were exported to the Philippines, a market Uruguay began shipping to in May. Last month, the Philippines ranked as the second-largest destination for bone-in frozen beef.