LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD NEWS) — Global beef trade policy changes are reshaping where product moves in 2026, increasing competitive pressure on U.S. beef exports while supporting higher import volumes. New quota structures in the United States, China, and Mexico are redirecting global supplies and altering price signals across key markets.
Beginning January 1, the U.S. tariff-rate quota for countries without a free trade agreement was reduced to 52,005 metric tons, while a new 13,000-metric-ton quota was established for the United Kingdom. The reduced “Other” quota filled rapidly — reaching 91 percent by January 5 — triggering a 26.4 percent out-of-quota tariff that encourages earlier shipments and higher imports early in the year.
China’s new beef safeguard quotas, paired with a 55 percent over-quota tariff, are expected to limit shipments from Brazil, Australia, and Argentina. With most U.S. beef facilities still lacking export registration, displaced product is likely shifting into Japan, South Korea, and the United States, increasing competition for U.S. exporters.
Mexico’s new 70,000-metric-ton quota for non-FTA beef may curb Brazilian shipments, offering some support to U.S. exports there, but also pushing additional global supply toward the U.S. market.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rising import pressure and tougher export competition are likely to persist into 2026, supporting domestic supplies while capping export growth.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
RanchHer celebrated the invaluable contributions women leading the beef industry at their panel, “Your Path to Becoming a RanchHer,” Friday at NCBA CattleCon.
February 02, 2024 03:31 PM
·
“Where The Food Comes From” visits M&B Products, a milk bottling plant in Temple Terrace, FL (a suburb of Tampa) with its farm in Lecanto, operated by the McClellan family. Get ready for a lesson in everything from milk bottling, to dairy nutrition, and bovine reproduction!
January 25, 2024 03:00 PM
Would you believe it’s possible to have a dairy barn where all you smell is clean fresh country air? Leon McLellan of M&B Products in Temple Terrace, FL shows us how!
January 24, 2024 03:00 PM
If chocolate milke doesn’t come from brown cows (and strawberry milk certainly doesn’t come from pink ones), then where does it come from? Get the scoop!
January 24, 2024 10:00 AM
At Florida dairy operation M&B Products, we learn about bottling milk, lactose intolerance, and so much more!
January 23, 2024 03:57 PM
As we start the new year, let’s take a look at some of the legislative items from 2023 affecting agriculture that will continue to play out in the political area for months to come.
January 02, 2024 12:00 PM
·
