May beef exports were below last year’s volume but edged higher in value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
May beef exports totaled 91,925 metric tons (mt), down 5% from a year ago. But value increased 2% to $818.1 million, bolstered by value increases in Taiwan, Japan, the ASEAN region, Central and South America and Egypt.
Export value per head of fed slaughter soared to $468 in May, the highest in nearly four years. Despite China’s mid-May renewal of expired U.S. beef plant registrations, May exports to China remained minimal as technical obstacles are yet to be resolved.
For January through May, beef exports were 10% below last year’s pace at 457,063 mt, while value fell 5% to $3.95 billion. But when excluding China from these results, January-May beef exports were down less than 1% in volume and were 6% higher in value.
“Despite significant headwinds, we are seeing some encouraging trends on the beef side,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Many facilities remain suspended and unable to export to China, while exporters overall remain reluctant to ship until technical obstacles are resolved and China agrees to meet its Phase One Agreement commitments.
“But Taiwan has been a major bright spot this year and while exports to South Korea have trended lower, we expect an uptick in Korea’s demand when a higher tariff rate on Australian beef is triggered later this month.”
By mid-July, Korea’s imports of Australian beef are expected to exceed the safeguard threshold established in the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Through the end of the year, Korea’s tariff rate on Australian beef will increase from 5.3% to 24%. U.S. beef enters Korea at zero duty under the Korea-U.S. FTA. Australia triggered its beef safeguard for China on June 18, and has since faced a 55% tariff for exports entering that market.
Lamb exports continue downward trend
Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 215 mt in May, down 41% from a year ago, valued at $1.3 million (down 28%). After a strong start to the year, January-May exports slipped 8% below a year ago in volume (1,257 mt) and 5% lower in value ($7 million). Larger exports to the Caribbean and Central America have been offset by lower shipments to Mexico and no exports to Canada have been reported in 2026. — USMEF
