LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD News) —Tight U.S. cattle supplies are increasing demand for New Zealand beef, giving American processors another source of lean trimmings while domestic supplies remain constrained. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service says the United States accounted for 38.8% of New Zealand beef and veal exports through July 2026.
New Zealand beef and veal exports to the United States increased more than 14% from a year earlier through July. The report says strong U.S. demand is being driven by historically tight cattle inventories and limited availability of lean manufacturing beef.
New Zealand cattle numbers are also beginning to recover. Beginning stocks for 2027 are forecast at 9.97 million head, up 1.3% and the highest level in five years as producers retain more breeding animals.
USDA forecasts New Zealand beef production at 705,000 metric tons carcass weight equivalent in 2027, with exports at 655,000 metric tons. The United States remains its largest beef market.
El Niño remains a risk. Drier pasture conditions could force earlier slaughter and lower carcass weights, limiting how much additional beef reaches export markets in 2027.
