LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — U.S. beef imports are running at a record pace while exports are falling, reflecting tight domestic cattle supplies and high U.S. beef prices.
An analysis co-authored by Josh Maples of Mississippi State and Dr. David Anderson of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension reports that the U.S. imported 1.7 billion pounds of beef in the first quarter, up more than 15 percent from last year.
Exports moved in the other direction, falling nearly 18 percent to 586 million pounds. South Korea and Japan still accounted for nearly half of U.S. beef exports, but shipments to both countries declined. China fell 95 percent to just 5.3 million pounds.
Brazil led all import suppliers at 394 million pounds, followed by Australia at 334 million. Mexico gained 23 percent to 197 million pounds, with some of the increase likely tied to the feeder-cattle border closure and higher Mexican beef production.
Most imported beef is lean trimming used for ground beef, so the biggest market impact would likely fall on trimming and cull cow values.
The USDA projects another annual beef import record in 2026, keeping export pressure in place as the U.S. herd remains tight.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Record beef imports may put pressure on lean-trimming and cull-cow markets, even as tight cattle supplies support broader prices.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
The new antitrust agreement between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aims to enforce antitrust laws and monitor market activity across the ag sector.
October 17, 2025 12:27 PM
·
President Donald Trump says a deal is nearly done on lowering beef prices, but he has not released details.
October 17, 2025 11:31 AM
·
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
October 16, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
·
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
October 16, 2025 01:26 PM
·
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
