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 FAO Food Price Index for October 2023 is out. Where do global food prices stand, and which categories saw the largest gains?
November 03, 2023 01:42 PM
·
Falling feed costs and strong demand for butter could be good news for dairy farmers looking to get their finances back on track.
November 03, 2023 12:38 PM
·
Where the Food Comes From producer Donna Sanders takes us along on a behind-the-scenes look at filming the show’s newest episode, “Clemson Blue,” where university cheesemakers reveal how they put the “blue” in their award-winning blue cheese.
October 26, 2023 09:00 AM
·
It is in there, the mold — those rich blue veins in creamy blue cheese that make you either love it or loathe it — but how does it get there? This bonus scene from “Clemson Dairy,” Season 4, Episode 4 of
Where the Food Comes From, explains how and why that happens.
October 25, 2023 09:00 AM
·
No, it is not some new college course — Clemson has been making blue cheese since 1941, and the product has developed a worldwide following and won some pretty big awards. With good reason — it is fantastic stuff. It is also fascinating to see how it is made. Check out this sneak peek look at the latest episode of Where the Food Comes From, “Clemson Blue.”
October 24, 2023 11:32 AM
·
The machines do all the work at Hickory Hill Milk in South Carolina, and the pampered cows get on-demand service. The team at Where the Food Comes From shares a special, behind-the-scenes account filming the show’s newest episode, Robot Dairy, premiering this Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at 9:30 p.m. ET on RFD-TV!
October 19, 2023 09:00 AM
·
