NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — President Donald Trump says expanding U.S. beef imports from Argentina could help bring grocery prices down. Still, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data show America’s beef inflow already depends heavily on lean trimmings from other countries.
The latest USDA Agricultural Marketing Service report shows that during the week ending Oct. 18, the U.S. cleared 26,903 metric tons of fresh beef for entry — bringing the year-to-date total to about 1.3 million metric tons (MT), up 12 percent from the same period in 2024.
Most of that beef comes from key lean suppliers used to balance U.S. ground-beef blends: Australia leads with 464,737 MT (+20 percent), followed by Brazil at 264,014 MT (+39 percent), New Zealand at 194,472 MT (down one percent), and Uruguay at 98,169 MT (+28 percent). Canada remains the top overall exporter at 577,802 MT, though its shipments have dipped 10 percent year over year. Argentina, while in the spotlight, remains a minor player, with 30,261 MT shipped so far in 2025 — about two percent of total U.S. imports.
Industry analysts note that imported lean trim is essential for making hamburger and ground beef — products that require blending with fattier U.S. beef to reach desired ratios. Without steady imports, processors say domestic trim alone cannot meet the nation’s year-round demand.
On the other hand, many beef producers are sounding the alarm over the Administration’s push to increase beef imports to lower consumer prices, warning that the move could have a marked effect on consumer demand and a lasting impact on the domestic cattle market.
“I’m really nervous right now,” said Erin Spaur, executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. “The possible long-term effects of just these high beef prices, and how long will consumers hold out with this high beef demand -- and at what point do we price consumers out? To this point, we have not, but I’m afraid. Once we see that point, we’re going to price a lot of people out. Then we’re going to be back to, you know, 30 years ago, trying to once again talk about the benefits of beef. So, it’s really exciting times, but it’s also kind of scary times, too. When we think about supplies, and we think about just how long these prices can hold, and then also sustaining that beef demand.”
It is worth noting that Friday’s planned Cattle-on-Feed Report was not released due to the government shutdown, leaving producers without a clear picture of the domestic supply. The upcoming report is scheduled for November 21.
