In June, the value of U.S. beef exports increased from a year ago despite lower volumes, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
June beef exports totaled 88,586 metric tons (mt), down 6% from a year ago. However, export value was up 3% to $790.1 million, bolstered by year-over-year increases in Japan, Taiwan, the ASEAN region, Central America, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Africa. Export value was nearly steady to the Middle East but declined to Mexico, Canada and China.
For the first half of 2026, beef export volume was 9% lower than a year ago at 545,649 mt, while value fell 4% to $4.74 billion. Much of this decline was due to the continued absence from China, where beef exports were strong in the first quarter of 2025 before China allowed U.S. facility registrations to expire.
Although these registrations were renewed during President Donald Trump’s visit to China in May, exports to China remain minimal due to plant suspensions and uncertainty over China’s residue testing—trade barriers that U.S. officials are working to resolve.
When China is removed from the January-June results, beef export volume declined just 1% from the first half of last year while export value increased 6%.
“While we never want to see exports down year-over-year, global demand for U.S. beef continues to be very resilient,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s persistent efforts to resolve the outstanding issues facing U.S. beef exports to China.
“The economic situation throughout Asia remains challenging, with lost purchasing power in U.S. dollar terms, yet customers continue to purchase a wide range of U.S. beef cuts, at record prices. This gives us an optimistic outlook for the second half.”
June rebound in lamb exports
Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 235 mt in June, up 5% from a year ago, while value nearly doubled to $1.8 million (up 95%). Exports to Mexico have trended lower in 2026 but bounced back strongly in June to reach 117 mt, up 23% and the largest since May 2025. June export value to Mexico was $956,000, up 169% and the highest monthly value since 2012. June shipments were also higher to Costa Rica and Honduras and were fairly steady to the Caribbean.
In the first half of the year, lamb muscle cut exports were 6% below last year in volume (1,492 mt) but increased 6% in value to $8.8 million. Value growth was led mainly by the Bahamas and Leeward-Windward Islands, but value also increased to Central America, Taiwan and Hong Kong. — USMEF
