Imports and Exports
USDA reports this is the largest cancellation of U.S. pork since May 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Economist Brett Stuart says it’s time to panic slowly, but the story is not over yet.
Home Plate BBQ is switching to Australian beef. Restaurant operator says it’s ‘just as good.’
Africa trade seminar matches U.S. exporters with buyers from 12 countries.
Brazil’s position as an inexpensive supplier of pork, driven by comparatively low labor and feed costs, has allowed Brazil to rapidly expand market opportunities.
The Philippines remains the main destination for Brazilian exports, but Mexico, a recently opened market, was shipped 4,600 tons in March.
As tariff proposals continue to bring uncertainty, the agricultural sector is assessing how any forthcoming country-by-country trade deals might offset the disruption, or if the industry needs to brace itself for a different kind of future.
February pork exports totaled 241,179 metric tons (mt), down 4% from the large year-ago volume, while value fell 2% to $671.5 million.
China accounted for 14% of total U.S. beef export volume last year and 15% of export value as well as 15% of total U.S. pork export volume and 13% of export value, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) submitted comments supporting the overall intent of strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry, but shared concerns of the affects on exporters.
Producers learned more about competition for red meat in Mexico, and the potential for growth in volume and high-quality products.
The U.S. exported more than $850 million of pork to Canada in 2024, while that country sent $1.7 billion of pork to the U.S.
U.S. pork producers now have maintained access and increased certainty to export their products to the 1.4-billion-person Chinese market, says NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys.
The renewals are a relief to U.S. farmers and meat companies as they navigate trade disputes with major agricultural importers, including China and Canada.
The registration status for pork, beef and poultry plants across the U.S., including some owned by major producers, was changed from “effective” to “expired.”
NPPC’s Maria Zieba says this is a unique time in global history. NPPC just filed comments to the U.S. Trade Representative in response to the retaliatory duties comments that were due and set to take effect on April 2.
While many farmers are comparing the current threats of tariffs and trade wars to the situation they endured in 2018, Joe Vaclavik believes this time will be better.
Report details the areas seeing growth in exports and how they are tied to free trade agreements.
With nearly half a billion in ag research funding at stake, according to data from former USAID contractor Jordan Schermerhorn, labs around the country are facing personnel layoffs, at best, and shutdown of hundreds of research projects, at worst.
The suspension comes as Washington and Ottawa have engaged in a heated dispute over trade tariffs.
While there is much uncertainty with current trade and tariff news, current data gives analysts some insight into possible impacts.
President Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China have gone into effect. While the economic consequences are unknown, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has promised to have a plan ready for farmers, if needed.
The impacts of tariffs on U.S. red meat is yet to be determined, but industry remains hopeful in the process of negotiations.
As tariffs and trade wars continue to make headlines, veteran trade negotiator Gregg Doud feels somewhat optimistic about a possible new deal with one of America’s leading markets — China. He explains why on the latest episode of Unscripted.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins kicked off the 2025 Top Producer Summit on Tuesday morning, detailing her plan to advocate for trade. ‘We want to find market access for all our products,’ Rollins said.
Partnerships and in-market activation boost long-term demand.
The pork industry must be cognizant of potential retaliation by these three countries on U.S. pork products, says NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys says.
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom says the increases were driven by diversification of export markets and delivered a value of $66 per head slaughtered on pork.
The Panama Canal is in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs — and he’s pledged to retake control of the strategic waterway due to Chinese influence. He also claims U.S. ships have been unfairly charged for using the canal.
Restrictions on German pork because of an FMD outbreak could leave a void in some markets, but lack of market access and available products could limit the opportunities for U.S. pork.
With growing tourism in Roatán and Honduras, USMEF conducted seminars to help chefs pair local ingredients with U.S. red meat.