U.S. Meat Export Federation - USMEF

Red Meat Exports Add Over $3 Billion in Value to U.S. Corn and Soybeans in 2025

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:05:40 GMT

U.S. red meat exports emerged as a multi-billion dollar engine for domestic grain producers in 2025, adding more than $3 billion in combined market value to corn and soybean crops. According to a new study by the Juday Group and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the global demand for American beef and pork accounted for over 600 million bushels of grain usage, effectively boosting the price of corn by $0.58 per bushel and soybeans by $1.05 per bushel.

“Red meat exports bring significant value to corn and soybean producers by driving demand for feed,” says USMEF Chair-Elect Dave Bruntz, who raises corn, soybeans and cattle in south-central Nebraska. “This study shows that red meat exports accounted for more than 500 million bushels of corn usage and nearly 100 million bushels of soybeans in 2025.”

From a national perspective, U.S. beef and pork exports accounted for $2.18 billion in market value to corn producers in 2025, $1 billion to soybean producers and $375 million to distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), according to the study. U.S. beef and pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 13.5% per bushel to the value of corn and 10.3% per bushel to soybeans in 2025.

“We initiate this study every year because it quantifies the value that beef and pork exports bring to the red meat supply chain. This added value is why a diverse range of ag industry sectors work together through USMEF to build global demand for U.S. red meat,” says USMEF Senior Vice President John Hinners.

Key findings from the study, which utilized 2025 statistics provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and data compiled by the Juday Group, include:

Exporting corn through U.S. beef and pork

Beef and pork exports accounted for 508.4 million bushels of U.S. corn usage, which equated to a market value of $2.18 billion (at an average 2025 corn price of $4.29 per bushel).
Beef and pork exports accounted for 2.68 million tons of DDGS usage, equating to $374.7 million (at an average price of $139.82 per ton in 2025).
Beef and pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 13.5%, or $0.58, of bushel value at an average price of $4.29 per bushel in 2025.

Exporting soybeans through U.S. pork

Pork exports accounted for 98.8 million bushels of U.S. soybean usage, which equated to a market value of $1 billion (at an average price of $10.17 per bushel in 2025).
Pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 10.3% of bushel value, or $1.05, at an average price of $10.17 per bushel in 2025.

Why U.S. Pork Exports to Mexico Remain Resilient Despite Pseudorabies Hurdle

Thu, 14 May 2026 21:58:39 GMT

Mexico is the U.S. pork industry’s $2-billion customer, but a recent isolated pseudorabies confirmation has put a portion of that trade on temporary hold, specifically high-value variety meats.

While the border remains open for U.S. pork muscle cuts , which make up most of the export volume to Mexico, pork byproducts (skins) and offal/viscera have been unable to clear due to Mexico’s precautionary restrictions.

“As a producer, I understand the science behind why we don’t need to be concerned about this incident,” says Katie Brown, an Illinois pig farmer and president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Brown recently returned from the U.S. Red Meat Symposium in Mexico along with Andy Tauer, National Pork Board vice president of international market development.

The relationship between the U.S. pork industry and the Mexican consumer is strong, Tauer points out.

“They have confidence in U.S. Pork,” he says. “That’s demonstrated every time we go down to Mexico. They value its versatility, consistency and flavor. Yes, we are having a small challenge right now in getting our variety meats across the Mexican border, but that’s where we lean on relationships with the National Pork Producers Council to help us navigate through this.”

(John Herath )

He believes the industry will work through this in “relatively short order” thanks to rigorous traceback and surveillance, in addition to interagency cooperation.

“Pseudorabies is not a human health risk,” Tauer emphasizes. “The U.S. pork supply is safe. With NPPC and USMEF having those important conversations, I think we will see the value of their strong relationship with the pork industry and red meat trade.”

Why Variety Meats Matter: The Whole Hog Value

The current restriction on variety meats is significant because these products that are often undervalued in the U.S., are high-demand delicacies in Mexico that drive the overall value of every pig raised in the U.S. by an additional $2.53 per pig.

“Mexico is a market where the whole hog has value,” Tauer says. “Our partnership with U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) allows us to really dig deep into the marketplace to connect various retailers and consumers with the individual parts and pieces of the pork carcass that they’re really interested in.”

(John Herath )

During a visit to Mexican wet markets, Brown saw firsthand the demand for all parts of the pig. As a producer, she admits that this gives her an even greater sense of fulfillment knowing that the entire pig is being utilized to feed people. It also adds more value to the work she does day in and day out as a producer.

“I remember walking by a box of uteruses and thinking, “Wow. I don’t think those would sell well at our grocery stores,’” she says. “But, that’s one of the things they’ve requested – to send more uteruses and brains as often as we can.”

Of course, Brown’s inquisitive mind didn’t let it stop at that. She began asking them how they use those products and learned more than she expected.

“Understanding how they cook and use these products in their daily life was definitely eye-opening,” Brown says. “I may not start feeding my family uteruses and brains, but if I can send those products off to a market like Mexico, where it adds value to their life, why not? It’s a win- win situation for both of us.”

A Market with Upside Opportunity

Mexico serves as the leading export market for U.S. pork, with hams leading the pack. Despite how strong the market is now in Mexico, the long-term outlook is even stronger. Per capita pork consumption continues expanding in Mexico, growing an estimated 40% between 2010 and 2024.

“I’m a very numbers-based person,” Brown says. “One of the most impactful moments for me was when they started sharing statistics around pork consumption in Mexico. They love pork, but only about 12% is consumed in the household. That is mind-blowing to me.”

She is excited about how the U.S. pork industry is focused on shifting consumer habits from this 88% out-of-home consumption to more at-home meals.

(John Herath )

“There’s so much opportunity to help expand that,” Brown says. “The majority of the time, they consume pork at a celebration, at restaurants or at food vendors over a lunch break. So, what can we do to help them bring more pork home to cook? Is it about making smaller packaging for a couple of people? Do we need to make it more convenient and an easier eating experience?”

Tauer highlighted how USMEF is using QR codes on packaging to provide recipes. The click-throughs on those recipes have been tremendous and are teaching other ways to prepare dishes using pork as an ingredient, which is very popular in Mexico.

“It was exciting to see the volume of Weber grills and Big Green Eggs as we went through a couple of different retail stores,” Tauer says. “American-style barbecue is really starting to catch on there as well. As income continues to increase for the middle class in Mexico, they will continue to have more opportunity to eat pork more on a daily basis. Education around ways to do that is critical.”

In an export market that is already “so good,” the opportunity for growth is huge, Brown adds.

From Barn to Border

Mexico has been “a shining star” in terms of overall demand for the pork product U.S. pig farmers raise on a daily basis, Tauer says.

“Although we talk a lot about selling more pork, trips like these are really about building long-term demand in Mexico,” he says. “It’s about protecting that market share and bringing that value back home to our U.S. producers. This ultimately drives rural communities across this country and helps the next generation stay on the farm. It’s all connected.”

(John Herath )

For Brown, traveling to Mexico provided a bridge between her daily work in Illinois and the global reach of her product. Seeing familiar brands in a foreign context reinforced the scale of the industry.

“To understand the impact we have as farmers, not just in our neighborhood and in our nation, but in other countries, was powerful,” she says. “We need to think on a more global perspective, rather than only about what’s happening on our farms.”

Record Pace: Mexico Market Drives Strong Q1 for U.S. Pork

Fri, 08 May 2026 12:45:50 GMT

March pork exports were among the largest on record, capping a powerhouse first quarter.

According to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), pork exports totaled 285,567 metric tons (mt) in March, up 6% from a year ago, the largest in five years and the third largest on record. Export value increased 4% to $803.2 million, the second highest on record, trailing only April 2021.

March exports increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Shipments were steady to South Korea and Canada. USMEF says March was an outstanding month for export value per head slaughtered, which was the third highest on record at $72.93.

Through the first quarter, pork exports were 3% above last year’s pace in both volume (778,939 mt) and value ($2.17 billion). Exports are on a record pace to Mexico and Central America.

“The sustained momentum for U.S. pork exports is impressive in the Western Hemisphere, but it is also encouraging to see demand climbing in key Asian markets, led by a welcome rebound in Japan,” USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom says in a release.

What This Means for Pork Producers

March pork export value equated to $72.93 per head slaughtered, down slightly from a year ago but the third highest on record, USMEF reports. The first-quarter average was $67.41 per head, up 2% year-over-year. Exports accounted for 33.1% of total March pork production and 28.8% for muscle cuts, roughly steady with the robust ratios posted in March 2025. First-quarter ratios were 30.7% and 26.8%, respectively – each up slightly from a year ago.

Monster First Quarter for Pork

March pork exports to leading market Mexico reached 103,808 mt, up 7% from a year ago, while export value also climbed 7% to $228.6 million, USMEF reports. This pushed first-quarter exports to 309,137 mt, up 5% from last year’s record pace, valued at $688.1 million (up 8%).

“Mexico is a critical market for U.S. pork, especially bone-in hams and variety meat, and preserving market access is essential,” USMEF says. “This makes the review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement a top industry priority, as well as Mexico’s antidumping investigation on U.S. hams and pork shoulders .”

Steady exports to Honduras and growing demand in Costa Rica and El Salvador caused March pork exports to Central America to reach 17,495 mt, up 6% year-over-year, valued at $58.1 million (up 12%). First-quarter exports to the region increased 7% from a year ago to 48,920 mt, while value climbed 12% to $158.7 million.

“After a slight volume decline in 2025, pork shipments to the Dominican Republic have raced to a rapid start this year,” USMEF says. “March exports soared 50% above last year, setting a value record of $35.8 million, while volume was the second largest on record at 12,478 mt. January-March exports totaled 29,984 mt, up 31% from a year ago, valued at $87.4 million (up 29%).”

Although pork exports to Japan declined last year, they have rebounded in 2026. March exports totaled 35,448 mt, up 18% from a year ago and the highest since 2021, while value increased 13% to $134.3 million, USMEF reports. First-quarter exports climbed 20% to 90,776 mt, valued at $345.8 million (up 13%).

Other first-quarter export results for U.S. pork include:

KOREA
March pork exports to Korea were essentially steady with last year, declining 1% in volume (23,563 mt) but increasing slightly in value ($77.8 million). First-quarter exports to Korea increased 2% to 59,108 mt, valued at $196.3 million (up 5%).
ASEAN
Fueled by strong growth in the Philippines (where exports were the largest in eight months at 7,215 mt) and record-large shipments to Indonesia (440 mt), March pork exports to the ASEAN region reached 8,239 mt, up 41% from a year ago, valued at $18.8 million (up 32%). Through March, exports to the region increased 19% to 18,042 mt, while value was up 16% to $42.4 million. In addition to the Philippines and Indonesia, shipments also increased to Malaysia.
TAIWAN
U.S. pork has faced numerous obstacles in Taiwan in recent years, but is regaining some traction in 2026. First-quarter exports more than doubled from a year ago in volume (3,585 mt, up 115% and the largest since 2019, while value increased 87% to $8.5 million.
CHINA
In China, where U.S. pork is subject to retaliatory duties and domestic supplies have surged, first-quarter exports declined 9% from a year ago to 104,779 mt, while value fell 20% to $222.9 million. China remains the largest destination for pork variety meat exports, which account for more than 70% of total shipments to China.

Mexico Keeps Border Open to U.S. Pork Muscle Cuts Amid PRV Detections

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:19:41 GMT

Despite conflicting reports in the media, Mexico has not closed its border to U.S. pork exports following the confirmation of pseudorabies (PRV) in Iowa and Texas . While trade continues for major categories, certain precautionary restrictions have emerged for specific products.

The Source of the Detection

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of PRV antibodies in a small commercial swine facility in Iowa on April 30. Because PRV is a reportable disease, the USDA followed standard protocol by notifying international trading partners immediately.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig emphasized the speed of the response during a May 1 press conference. “There is always a potential for trade disruption, which is why we moved so swiftly,” Naig said. “We anticipate minimal, if any, short-term trade disruptions.”

Current Trade Status: Muscle Cuts vs. Byproducts

Engagement between animal health authorities in Mexico and the U.S. remains ongoing. Joe Schuele, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president of communications, clarified that while the border remains open for U.S. pork muscle cuts, which make up most of the export volume to Mexico, exporters are facing hurdles for some other pork products.

“USMEF cannot speculate about the market access situation going forward,” Schuele says. “But we know that since Monday morning (May 4), U.S. exporters have had loads of certain products unable to clear into Mexico. Importantly, the restrictions do not impact pork muscle cuts. However, pork byproducts (skins) and offal/viscera have been unable to clear due to Mexico’s precautionary restrictions.”

Looking Ahead

USMEF remains optimistic that further guidance from the USDA is imminent and expects Mexico to act in alignment with World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines.

“We continue to monitor the situation for further updates,” USMEF stated.

Safety Assurance

Industry experts remind the public that PRV is not a food safety concern and poses no risk to human health. The U.S. pork supply remains safe, secure, and subject to rigorous inspection standards.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

U.S. Pork Exports Rise in 2026 as Beef Trends Lower in February

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:29:44 GMT

Pork exports are off to a good start in 2026. The February export data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), shows U.S. pork is slightly higher year-over-year. Meanwhile, beef exports trended lower, due in large part to continued lack of access to China.

“While leading market Mexico posted another excellent performance in February, shipments to Japan increased significantly from last year’s low total and exports also trended higher year-over-year to South Korea, Central America, the Dominican Republic and Taiwan,” USMEF reports.

Pork is above pace

In February, the contribution value per head of pork exports was $67 a head, the highest level in quite a while, USMEF adds. The total pork export value came in at $678.8 million.

For January through February, U.S. pork exports were 2% above last year’s pace in both volume at 493,372 metric tons and value at $1.37 billion. Export value is slightly ahead of the record pace established in 2024, USMEF notes.

Pork exports build momentum in Latin America and Japan

“Volume was up slightly from a year ago at 242,511 metric tons, up 1% and the value is also up 1%,” says USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom.

Two things stood out to Halstrom in the pork report.

Latin America continues to perform.
Mexico had a $221-million month with continued growth off of last year’s record, up 4% for the month on volume and up 9% on value. Central America was up, too, he points out.
Japan experiences renewed momentum.
The U.S. exported 28,000 metric tons of pork to Japan in February, which was up 20% from last year. Although Halstrom says this was a bit low, it is still an increase from 2025. U.S. pork export value was up 14%.

It’s time to demonstrate U.S. pork’s advantages in Japan

“It is gratifying to see demand for U.S. pork continue to expand in our Western Hemisphere markets,” Halstrom points out. “But the rebound in Japan really stands out to me, given the strong economic headwinds and intense competition in this important market. To build on this recent momentum in Japan, it is critical that we continue to differentiate U.S. pork and demonstrate its advantages to Japanese importers and consumers.”

U.S. beef variety meats shine bright

February beef exports totaled 85,066 metric tons, down 13% from last year, while value fell 10% to $722.7 million. USMEF says much of this gap was due to China’s lockout of U.S. beef, though February shipments were also below last year to Korea, Japan and Canada. Exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, Taiwan, the Caribbean and South America, while demand was steady in the Middle East and Central America. Excluding China, February exports were 4% higher in value and just 1% below last year’s volume.

The February totals included 24,081 metric tons of beef variety meat, up 12% from a year ago, while the value of these shipments soared 40% to $106 million.

Through the first two months of 2026, beef and beef variety meat exports were 12% below last year’s pace in volume at 177,624 metric tons and 6% lower in value at $1.5 billion. Excluding China from these results, exports increased 2% to 175,915 metric tons, while value was 10% higher at $1.49 billion.

January-February exports of beef variety meat increased 9% from a year ago to 51,592 metric tons, while export value climbed 43% to $232 million.

The Next Guatemala? USMEF Sees Massive Upside for U.S. Beef and Pork in Ecuador

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:22:32 GMT

Ecuador recently became the ninth country to sign an agreement on reciprocal trade with the U.S. And while it will take some time to implement, once in place, the deal will greatly expand opportunities for U.S. beef and pork in Ecuador, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror.

Tariffs of 20% on beef and 45% on pork are mostly phased out, although there are exceptions on pork.
A 30% tariff on processed pork products which will remain in place.
The agreement recognizes all USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspected facilities as eligible for export to Ecuador, removing the need for individual facility approvals.

“The tariff on beef is basically 20% and that’s phased to zero in the agreement over three years,” Borror explains. “For pork, tariffs of 45% are mostly phased out. There are some exceptions on further processed products and sausages that will see tariffs remain at 30%.”

Borror says one of the key wins in these reciprocal trade agreements is getting countries to recognize FSIS, the U.S. food safety authority, as the competent authority.

“They will recognize all FSIS-inspected facilities as eligible to export, rather than going through onerous questionnaires, plant-by-plant audits and maintaining plant lists which have gotten to be unmanageable,” she says.

Borror expects export growth to be similar to what was seen in Guatemala after passage of the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

“Both of those countries have a population of close to 18 million people,” she says. “Their GDP per capita is somewhere close to $7,000, so very similar. And if we take Guatemala, U.S. beef export growth from 2006 to 2025, saw growth from $3 million to $105 million. For pork, the market went from $10 million to $148 million.”

In 2025, the U.S. exported virtually no pork to Ecuador and only $3 million in beef. She says there is great potential in Ecuador.

Why It's Time to Boost Mexico's In-Home Consumption of U.S. Pork

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:43:59 GMT

U.S. pork exports to Mexico reached an all-time high in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking volume. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), exports totaled 1.24 million metric tons, with a market value of $2.85 billion.

The Challenge: Increasing At-Home Pork Consumption

While Mexican demand for pork is surging in the restaurant sector, at-home consumption remains a significant growth opportunity.

Current Statistic: Only 12% of total pork consumed in Mexico is cooked at home.
The Barrier: Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF Regional Director for Mexico and Central America, notes that price and availability are not the issues. Instead, the primary barrier is consumer education on how to prepare pork correctly.

USMEF Strategy: Education Through Mobile Innovation

With support from the USDA and the National Pork Board, USMEF is launching a targeted campaign to move the needle on home cooking.

Key Tactics to Drive Demand:

Educational Food Trucks: Utilizing mobile units for sampling and live cooking demonstrations.
Modern Appliance Integration: Teaching consumers how to prepare U.S. pork cuts using convenient tools like air fryers.
Simplified Preparation: Showing at-home chefs that U.S. pork is an easy, versatile protein for family meals.

“If we grow that percentage of pork being cooked at home, I think that it’s going to move the needle in a tremendous way,” Rodriguez says.

2025 U.S. Pork Export Performance: Key Statistics and Market Trends

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:09:57 GMT

U.S. pork exports reached significant milestones in 2025, recording the second-highest value and third-largest volume in history. According to data from the USDA and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the year concluded with robust performance in Latin America and a late-year rebound in Asian markets.

Quick Facts: 2025 Pork Export Totals

Total Volume: 2.94 million metric tons (mt) — third largest on record.
Total Value: $8.4 billion — second highest on record.
Per Head Value: Approximately $65 for every animal slaughtered.
Variety Meat Contribution: 13% to 14% of total export value (approx. $1.1 billion).

What These Export Numbers Mean for U.S. Pork Producers

According to USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom, the export market adds significant value to the bottom line of domestic producers. The $65-per-head contribution is driven largely by products with low domestic demand, such as variety meats. In December alone, pork variety meat exports were valued at nearly $105 million, the highest level since March.

Top Performing Markets in 2025

The 2025 export story was defined by record-breaking demand in the Western Hemisphere and a recovery in the East:

Mexico: Remained the leading market with record-large volume and value.

Latin America: Achieved its second-largest value year ever, with record shipments to Central America and the Caribbean.

Colombia: Reached a new record in export value.

Asia: While down for the full year, markets in South Korea, Japan, ASEAN, and Taiwan saw a significant rebound in the second half of 2025.

Market Outlook for 2026

Despite a 3.5% year-over-year dip in December volume (257,846 mt), the industry remains well-positioned for growth. The late-year momentum in Asia and consistent demand from Mexico suggest a strong trajectory heading into 2026.

“The thing that doesn’t stand out here is that Asia, in the last half of the year, really started to pick up some ground,” Halstrom says. “They were down for the year. But if you remember, early last year, Asia was down quite a bit. In the last half of the year, we saw a rebound in Asia on pork as well. The pork side is well positioned going into 2026.”

A Trade Win for Beef and Pork: U.S. and Taiwan Sign Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:31:21 GMT

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the signing of an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the United States and Taiwan that includes significant market access gains for U.S. red meat.

“The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with Taiwan will eliminate tariff and nontariff barriers facing U.S. exports to Taiwan, furthering opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, fishermen, workers, small businesses and manufacturers,” Ambassador Jamieson Greer said . “This agreement also builds on our longstanding economic and trade relationship with Taiwan and will significantly enhance the resilience of our supply chains, particularly in high-technology sectors.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins praised the agreement on X, saying this will open up real markets and boost opportunities for rural communities.

New trade deal with our partner, Taiwan!
🇺🇸🤝🇹🇼

THANK YOU @POTUS and @USTradeRep. Under the new U.S.–Taiwan Reciprocal Trade Agreement, Taiwan is cutting or eliminating tariffs on nearly all U.S. agricultural exports — from animal protein like beef, pork, and dairy to corn,… https://t.co/44xmlzP04o
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) February 13, 2026

U.S. Beef’s Potential to Grow Export Opportunities
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says this will strengthen one of the most important and fastest-growing markets for U.S. beef. Taiwan is the fifth largest market for U.S. beef, with exports valued at about $650 million, and the U.S. is the largest supplier of beef to Taiwan.

“There is still potential for further growth with the increased access for all U.S. beef products, including those in high demand for yakiniku barbecue and trendy burger concepts,” U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said. “The elimination of tariffs on U.S. beef will definitely improve our competitiveness.”

Foreign markets play a critical role in producer profitability with beef exports accounting for more than $415 per fed cattle processed in 2024, NCBA President Gene Copenhaver explained.

“Strong, science-based trade agreements are essential to adding value for U.S. cattle producers, and Taiwan has emerged as one of the strongest international markets for U.S. beef,” Copenhaver said. “Duty-free access improves competitiveness and provides long-term certainty for producers who depend on export markets to maximize the value of every animal. American cattle producers look forward to this expanded market access for years to come thanks to the work of President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.”

Securing Greater Market Access for U.S. Pork
It’s also a step forward for the U.S. pork industry as U.S. pork has been “widely disadvantaged in Taiwan,” USMEF said. The EU and Canada currently dominate Taiwan’s pork imports.

“USMEF is optimistic that reducing both tariffs and nontariff barriers will help enable larger U.S. pork exports to Taiwan, as USMEF remains focused on regaining Taiwanese consumer trust in U.S. pork,” USMEF said.

Organizations say this trade deal reinforces science-based standards consistent with the World Organization for Animal Health and Codex Alimentarius.

“I would like to thank President Trump and Ambassadors Greer and Callahan for their hard work,” said Lori Stevermer, a Minnesota pig farmer. “This agreement stands to boost U.S. pork exports by cutting tariffs in half. It also requires Taiwan to follow maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by Codex for ractopamine in pork fat, kidney, liver and muscle. While not always as obvious as a tariff reduction, by accepting USDA FSIS inspections, audits and export certificates, this agreement reduces the nontariff barriers we face and allows opportunities for more plants to export pork. Overall, U.S. pig farmers will have greater market access to a country that loves pork and that’s good for our farms and businesses.”

Additionally, within six months Taiwan must recognize the African swine fever protection zone established by the U.S.

“Our 15-plus year endeavor to break down trade barriers in the high-value market of Taiwan has paid off,” said NPPC president Duane Stateler, an Ohio pork producer. “This means more U.S. pork on international tables and more opportunities and prosperity for American producers.”

Read the Fact Sheet on U.S.-Taiwan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

Pork Exports Hold Strong While China Lockout Drags Down Beef Volume

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:01:24 GMT

Exports of U.S. pork remained relatively strong in November but were below the large total reported in November 2024, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were significantly lower year-over-year, due in large part to the ongoing lockout by China.

Broad-Based Strength Continues for U.S. Pork Exports

“For the month of November, we saw over $70 per head value in pork exports,” says USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Latin America continues to shine, led by Mexico. It’s on a definite record pace, and has been all year, and we saw another big month in November.”

Central America has already set a record, Halstrom adds. Pork exports to Guatemala were a “record large” in November and the Dominican Republic saw the largest export month in more than a year. All in all, these results were offset by lower shipments to China, Japan, Canada and Colombia. He says most of this decline was due to lower variety meat shipments to China, where U.S. pork faces retaliatory duties.

“Over the last several months, Korea has had a comeback from earlier in the year,” he reports. “I think all in all, continued broad-based strength on pork exports, continues to be the theme. We’re going to finish out the year when we get to December data with, maybe not a record, but it will be one of the top two or three years ever for pork exports.”

Key U.S. Pork Export Highlights in November

Exports of U.S. pork totaled 254,085 metric tons (mt) in November, down 7% from a year ago but the third largest of 2025.
Exports were valued at $720.8 million, down 8% year-over-year but also the third highest of 2025.
For January through November, pork exports totaled 2.68 million mt, down 3% from the record pace of 2024, while value also fell 3% to $7.65 billion.
January-November exports of pork muscle cuts were just 1% below 2024’s record pace in both volume (2.19 million mt) and value ($6.57 billion).
While down slightly from a year ago, November pork export value per head slaughtered was outstanding at $70.26.
The January-November average was $65.54, down less than 1% from the record pace of 2024.

Beef Exports Take a Step Back in November

“Following an encouraging rebound the previous month, November beef exports took a step back, falling 19% from a year ago to 88,139 mt,” Halstrom says. “The decline was driven primarily by China, where exports remain minimal due to China’s failure to renew registrations for U.S. beef plants and other market-closing factors, but beef exports also trended lower year-over-year to Korea, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan.”

Halstrom says exports were steady to Japan.

“Japan’s had several months in a row with very good results, once again, led by the variety meat side - tongue business, outside skirts, hanging tenders as well saw volumes that were up significantly,” he notes. “But outside of Asia, there’s some other bright spots as well.”

He just returned from Gulfood in Dubai, where U.S. beef exports had a big month into the United Arab Emirates.

“A year ago, we basically were delisted as a country due to some protocols around the import procedures with halal. And that’s all been worked out, and we’re seeing some really good momentum back into, not only the UAE, but the business is booming in food service, especially into regions such as Egypt,” he reports.

Notable U.S. Beef Export Takeaways in November

Export value was down 16% to $736.7 million.
November exports increased year-over-year to Indonesia, Chile, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Colombia, and were fairly steady to Japan.
For January through November, beef exports totaled 1.04 million mt, down 12% from the same period in 2024.
Export value was $8.52 billion, down 11%. But when excluding China from these results, exports were down 3% year-over-year in volume and were just 1% lower in value.

A detailed summary of the January-November export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb is available here.

October Pork Exports Largest Since March; Encouraging Rebound for Beef

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:50:19 GMT

U.S. pork exports continued to build momentum in October, led by a record performance in leading market Mexico, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While beef exports remained lower year-over-year, shipments rebounded to some degree in October, posting the largest totals since June.

Record-large shipments to Mexico fuel strong October pork exports

Pork exports totaled 264,657 metric tons (mt) in October, up 5% from a year ago, valued at $762.1 million (up 7%). Both volume and value were the largest since March, led by substantial growth in Mexico and year-over-year increases to Central America, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. In addition to Mexico, October shipments were also record-large to Honduras and Guatemala.

January-October pork exports reached 2.43 million mt, just 2% below the record pace of 2024. Export value was also down 2% to $6.93 billion. The year-over-year difference is mostly due to a 20% decline in exports to China (which are mainly variety meats), where U.S. pork is subject to burdensome retaliatory duties.

Bright spots for October beef exports include Japan, Taiwan, Caribbean, Colombia

Beef exports totaled 93,448 mt in October, down 11% year-over-year but the largest since June and 16% above the low volume posted in September. Export value was also the highest since June at $759.5 million, down 12% from a year ago but 15% above September. October beef exports increased year-over-year to Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the ASEAN region and the Dominican Republic, while also jumping sharply to Colombia. But these gains were more than offset by lack of access to China, which has reduced exports to minimal volumes for the past several months. For markets other than China, October beef exports were up 5% year-over-year in volume and up 7% in value.

January-October beef exports totaled 949,471 mt, down 11% from the 2024 pace, while value was down 10% to $7.79 billion. When excluding China from these results, exports were down 3% in volume and just 1% in value compared to the first 10 months of 2024.

“The latest export data confirm what I consistently hear from customers across the world and from our international staff – that global demand for U.S. red meat remains robust, despite tight supplies and formidable market access barriers,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Obviously, regaining access for U.S. beef in China is our most urgent priority, as industry losses from this lockout are enormous. But we are also hopeful that ongoing trade negotiations will remove barriers in other destinations where consumers have a growing appetite for high-quality red meat.”

October lamb exports trend lower

Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 161 mt in October, down 12% year-over-year, while value fell 6% to $971,000. October shipments declined to the Caribbean but increased to Mexico and Central America. January-October exports were still up 40% year-over-year in volume (2,340 mt) and 27% higher in value ($12.65 million), led by growth in Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Panama.

A detailed summary of the January-October export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available here .

2026 Off to a Good Start with Strong Global Protein Demand

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:10:55 GMT

Although final export numbers aren’t talled for 2025 yet, demand for U.S. pork remained strong despite headwinds, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and CEO Dan Halstrom. He points out much of that demand growth is coming from key free trade agreement partners.

“If you look at what’s been working well, you really have to start with some of these countries where we have existing free trade agreements,” Halstrom says. “There’s no better example than Latin America. Mexico is absolutely on fire for pork, setting records for the last three years, including this year.”

He says this growth is not limited to Mexico. Central America is another area that continues to grow, in addition to Asia and Korea.

“I think there’s a lot of good things going on in these markets, which, as we segueway into 2026, has a lot of opportunity going forward,” Halstrom adds.

In 2026 USMEF will lay the groundwork to expand markets fueled by programs like USDA’s America First Trade Promotion Program.

“Central America has been booming recently in the last four or five years, and we see further development potential on both beef and pork in that whole region,” he says.

As well, USMEF is excited about some newer regions around the world such as Malaysia in Southeast Asia. They are starting to make some progress on the variety meat side in West Africa and Central Africa, Halstrom says.

As USMEF looks forward to the new year, that strong protein demand is expected to remain, especially with an emerging middle class in many developing regions.

“We are positioned in the U.S. beef, pork and lamb industry to take advantage of that opportunity as we go forward in 2026,” Halstrom says.

USTR's Measured Approach on Nicaragua is Great News for U.S. Pork

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:55:17 GMT

Known around the globe as the “land of fire and water,” Nicaragua has more recently become known as a rapidly growing destination for U.S. pork.

Duty-free access through Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR has helped Nicaragua move up to 13th among all export markets this year. Exports will approach 20,000 metric tons (mt) in 2025, more than doubling over the past five years and up from less than 1,500 mt a decade ago. Export value is estimated at $68.5 million – up 180% since 2020, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said in its latest report.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced that the U.S. will impose tariffs on all imported Nicaraguan goods that are not originating under the CAFTA-DR. The tariff will initially be set at zero, but is set to increase to 10% in 2027 and to 15% in 2028.

“This announcement represents a much more measured approach than some of the potential actions USTR proposed in October, which included possible suspension of Nicaragua’s CAFTA-DR benefits and tariffs of up to 100%,” USMEF reports. “This is great news for the U.S. pork industry.”

The U.S. holds about 95% of Nicaragua’s imported pork market, points out Lucia Ruano, USMEF Central America representative.

(Data: USDA, with USMEF estimate for 2025)

“Demand for U.S. pork in Nicaragua is being driven right now by a combination of improved market access, changing consumption habits and strong market development efforts,” Ruano says. “And a key factor was the full tariff phase out under the free trade agreement in 2020 which allows U.S. pork to enter the market at zero duty. That made U.S. pork more competitive and more accessible to importers and retailers.”

From the importer and consumer perspective, Ruano says what’s most appealing about U.S. pork is its consistency, quality and reliability of supply.

“Importers know exactly what they’re getting in terms of cut specification, yields and performance,” she adds.

Pork is becoming a center of the plate feature in Nicaragua. Popular cuts are the pork loin, the tenderloin, and all the ribs (baby backs, spare ribs, riblets).

“These cuts fit very well with local cooking styles, with family meals and restaurant menus, and they allow pork to compete directly with other proteins as the center of the plate,” Ruano says.

CAFTA has been absolutely critical in developing the Nicaragua market of U.S. pork, she says.

“Maintaining duty-free access is essential right now,” Ruano says. “Any disruption would immediately affect pricing, volumes and confidence in the supply chain.”

Farmers Need the Certainty Provided Under USMCA More Than Ever, Lawmakers Say

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 22:47:07 GMT

The benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are hard to deny. Kenneth Smith Ramos, a former lead negotiator for the Mexican government who was deeply involved in the negotiation and ratification of USMCA, discussed the mutual benefits USMCA has delivered for the agricultural sectors in both the U.S. and Mexico during the recent USMEF Strategic Planning Conference. Not only has the agreement enhanced food security in both countries, but he said it has also bolstered the profitability of many agricultural sectors through free trade.

The U.S., Canada and Mexico are scheduled for a joint review of the trade agreement in July. Smith, who is now a partner in the regulatory and trade consulting firm AGON, says the possible outcomes of the USMCA review range from a very limited review to the threat of “rupture” if the agreement is reopened and the U.S. threatens to withdraw. He said he anticipates something in between, with portions of USMCA – some of which may be contentious – opened up for renegotiation.

“We see a complex USMCA review, but we do not see a scenario where there is an imminent collapse of the agreement,” Smith said during the conference. “There will be turbulence, but we do not see the plane crashing.”

Smith added that it is critical for the U.S., Mexican and Canadian agricultural sectors to remain vigilant in explaining the benefits of USMCA and the importance of maintaining it as a trilateral pact.

Much Needed Certainty

Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus cochairs Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led more than 100 members of the House of Representatives in urging the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to “carefully” examine changes to USMCA.

“USMCA was truly a landmark agreement for American Agriculture when it entered force, and its positive impact on U.S. agriculture has yet to reach its maximum benefit,” the members wrote. “At a time when economic challenges threaten the livelihood of family farms, producers need the certainty provided under USMCA more than ever.”

In the Nov. 20 letter to USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the lawmakers said the outcome of the review should advance American agriculture and food production. They asked the trade agency to “work closely with Congress and consider the significant positive impact North American trade has on our communities. Any changes to the agreement should be carefully examined to ensure U.S. agriculture is not negatively impacted.”

Lawmakers pointed out that USMCA streamlined compliance measures and harmonized regulations, thereby generating cost savings for U.S. farmers, producers, and ranchers. In 2024, the U.S. was the world’s largest agricultural exporter, with total ag exports valued at $176 billion.

“The agriculture section of the USMCA provides much needed certainty within North America through its tough and effective rules on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, agricultural biotechnology, intellectual property, and technical barriers to trade,” the letter said. “U.S. agricultural exporters depend on the binding nature of these provisions to access our closest markets and make sales, which has directly benefited the farmers, ranchers, and producers that we represent. Further, these rules-based, science-driven commitments set a strong example for other trading partners hoping to achieve similar access to the U.S. market.”

Earlier this month, the National Pork Producers Council and more than 125 agriculture and food organizations also urged USTR to be cautious in making changes to USMCA, which they said has facilitated and streamlined the flow of commerce throughout the three countries. The positive impact USMCA has had on U.S. agriculture, they added, “has yet to reach its maximum benefit. At a time when economic challenges threaten the livelihood of family farms, producers need the certainty provided under USMCA more than ever.”

“U.S. pork producers export over 25% of their pork,” NPPC noted in Capital Update. “With Mexico and Canada as their first and fourth largest export markets, respectively, USMCA has provided continuity and removed market uncertainty in those markets.”

Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation pointed out that USMCA has delivered real value for America’s dairy farmers.

“While several dairy compliance issues remain to be addressed in the 2026 Joint Review, the duty-free trade into Mexico that USMCA preserved has allowed U.S. dairy exporters to partner with Mexico to meet growing demand,” Doud said.

Read More:
No Trade Agreement Can Boast the Success of USMCA, The Meat Institute Says

Pork Exports Remain Strong in August; Beef Decline Continues

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:21:39 GMT

USDA has released August red meat export data, which was delayed due to the lengthy government shutdown. As compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), August data showed a relatively strong performance for U.S. pork exports. But beef exports were sharply lower than a year ago, impacted heavily by an impasse with China that has effectively locked U.S. beef out of the world’s largest import market.

August pork exports totaled 236,311 metric tons (mt), down 1% from a year ago, valued at $685.9 million (down 2%). August exports were bolstered by another remarkable performance by leading market Mexico, where shipments climbed 8% from a year ago to 102,790 mt, the fifth largest volume on record. Export value reached $252.3 million, up 9% and the second highest on record, trailing only December 2024.

For January through August, pork exports were 3% below last year’s record pace in both volume (1.93 million mt) and value ($5.48 billion). This gap is mostly attributable to lower exports to China, where U.S. pork faces retaliatory tariffs. This situation was especially disruptive in the spring months, when tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China temporarily escalated and there was growing uncertainty about the continued eligibility of U.S. plants. While this situation has since stabilized, China’s total tariff on U.S. pork and most pork variety meat had been 57% until Nov. 10, when it was reduced to 47%.

August beef exports totaled 83,388 mt, down 19% from a year ago and the lowest since June 2020. Export value fell 18% to $695.5 million, the lowest since February 2021. While exports to China plummeted, shipments were fairly steady to leading market South Korea and trended higher than a year ago to the Caribbean and Central and South America.

For January through August, beef exports were 9.5% below last year at 775,188 mt, while value declined 9% to $6.37 billion.

Mexico and Central America continue to shine for U.S. pork

Pork exports to Mexico continue to reach new heights in 2025, with January-August shipments climbing 3% above last year’s record pace in volume (781,605 mt) and 6% higher in value ($1.78 billion). The leading destination for U.S. pork is increasingly competitive, with Brazil’s pork shipments to Mexico (through October) increasing 64% from a year ago to nearly 64,000 mt. However, Brazil still captured less than 5% market share, while U.S. market share is about 80%.

August pork exports to Central America also trended higher, keeping shipments to the region on a record pace. Through August, pork exports to Central America totaled 118,257 mt, up 22% from last year’s record. Value soared 25% to $377.5 million, led by robust growth in Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Pork exports to Colombia took a step back in August, falling 29% from last year’s very robust totals in both volume (9,418 mt) and value ($28 million). But January-August shipments to Colombia were still on a record pace, increasing 9% to 85,707 mt, valued at $245.4 million (up 11%).

Among other markets, August pork exports trended higher than a year ago to Korea, the Caribbean, Australia and the Philippines. Shipments were below last year to China, Japan, Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Pork export value equated to $67.74 per head slaughtered in August, up 5% from a year ago, while the January-August average was $65.55 per head, down 1%. Exports accounted for 31% of total August pork production, up two full percentage points from a year ago. For muscle cuts only, the ratio exported was about one percentage point higher at 26.3%. For January through August, exports accounted for just under 30% of total production, down slightly from a year ago. The ratio of muscle cuts exported was steady at 26.1%.

Some bright spots for beef, but impasse with China weighs heavily on exports

With U.S. beef facing a multi-layered lockout in China, export results have worsened throughout 2025 as supplies of eligible product were depleted and more plants were suspended in June and August. Exports sank to just 862 mt in August, down 94% from a year ago. For January through August, exports to China were 52% below last year in volume (56,494 mt) and 53% lower in value ($484.2 million). The accumulated decline in exports for January through October is estimated at $832 million, as September and October exports are also certain to be minimal. As USMEF has previously reported, China has failed to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities. But renewing these registrations is just one of the steps necessary to restore access for U.S. beef in China, where 16 U.S. plants have been suspended since June and 30 facilities have been suspended since 2022. For China to return to its commitments under the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement, it must address all of the barriers obstructing access for U.S. beef.

August beef exports to leading market Korea were slightly below last year in volume, falling 1.5% to 16,823 mt. But export value still increased 3% to $168 million. For January through August, exports to Korea increased 8% from a year ago in volume (162,907 mt) and 9% in value ($1.55 billion).

Beef exports to Central America posted another strong performance in August, climbing 5% from a year ago to 1,512 mt, while value soared 50% to $17 million. Led by robust growth in Guatemala and Costa Rica, January-August beef exports to the region are on a record pace, reaching 14,520 mt, up 6% from a year ago, while value climbed 34% to $134.2 million.

Among other markets, August beef exports trended higher than a year ago to the Caribbean region, led by growth in the Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Jamaica, and to South America, led by growth in Chile (where exports have been above year-ago levels in each of the past six months) and a rebound in Colombia. Exports were also higher to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Europe and Morocco, but trended lower to Japan, Mexico, Canada, Taiwan and the Middle East.

Beef export value equated to $372.10 per head of fed slaughter in August, down 5% from a year ago. The January-August average was $400.16 per head, down 3.5% from the same period last year. Exports accounted for 12.1% of total August beef production and 9.8% for muscle cuts only – each down about one percentage point from a year ago. The January-August ratios were 13.1% of total production and 11% for muscle cuts, down from 13.9% and 11.6%, respectively, during the same period last year.

Full January-August export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics web page .

It's Time to Tackle Technical Market Access Barriers to Trade

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:08:58 GMT

What could emerge as a result of reciprocal trade agreements and frameworks announced by the Trump administration? Experts said they are optimistic about additional export opportunities in Europe and Southeast Asia (ASEAN) if trade barriers ‒ tariff and non-tariff ‒ are addressed.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror moderated a panel during the recent USMEF Strategic Planning Conference on Nov. 14 with Jihae Yang, vice president of Asia Pacific, Director of Export and Technical Services Courtney Heller, and Jim Remcheck, director of export services. Borror and the panelists agreed there’s an array of trade barriers that continue to prevent the red meat industry from reaching its trade potential in specific markets within those regions.

“In the EU, we’re still working on all of the trade issues that fall outside of the hormone ban that really shut things down back in 1989,” Heller said. “As we began working with the Trump administration, we detailed all the extra requirements that need removed to ease the process inside the packing plant, through labeling and putting product in containers to ship to the EU. And this is product that is raised specifically for the EU or the UK. It’s highly specialized and costs at least $100 extra per head, or if we’re talking about pork, about $60 more. So it’s very difficult to send it anywhere else and get the same return on that investment.”

U.S. beef faces tariff disadvantages in the ASEAN region because Australia and New Zealand, along with some other suppliers, have free trade agreements throughout the region. The U.S. also faces a host of non-tariff barriers.

“We have to chip away and tackle some of these technical market access barriers to trade that are really hindering our opportunities,” Remcheck said. “The single greatest barrier we face is the facility-by-facility approval and registration process. That’s sort of an overarching, cross-cutting issue that we see throughout the region, and the primary thing keeping us from reaching our market potential.”

Protectionism Roadblock in the ASEAN Region
Protectionism is a serious problem in the ASEAN, Yang explained. One example is how import permit processes can be abused to help protect local producers. Two other aspects that hinder market development efforts in the region are cold chain infrastructure and limited financial capacities of importers.

U.S. red meat opportunities and several promotional initiatives are contributing to the industry’s market development progress in the ASEAN region, Yang added.

“You may remember that we had only two people on staff 25 years ago, and now we have 12 people in the region,” Yang said. “That demonstrates how much we are penetrating into the market and developing our own programs to address market needs. Our strategy is supply chain development, not just in the foodservice sector, but also including distributors, retailers and further processors. The demand is there and our staff is there, working to build close working relationships with key trade partners.”

Jay Theiler Elected Chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:07:38 GMT

Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company, was elected chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) during the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference on Nov. 14. Theiler, based in Boise, Idaho, will serve as chairman for the 2025-26 term.

During the conference, Theiler recalled his early days with Agri Beef, when the company came to realize that it could not maximize the value of each head of livestock processed by selling product only in the Pacific Northwest, or even in the entire U.S.

“To get maximum value, we had to go to the international markets and include them in our sales,” Theiler said. “I did a lot of overseas trips in the early 2000s and many subsequent trips that laid the foundation for our success. When we traveled to Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, we would meet with USMEF staff, who would paint a landscape of the distributors in the market and help us set up appointments and meetings. USMEF was really an integral part of our company story and our brand story. And I tell you this today because it may serve as an inspiration for others on how to grow your business and how USMEF can help.”

Looking forward, Theiler said differentiating the quality of U.S. red meat is essential to continued expansion of the global customer base.

“The world doesn’t just buy U.S. meat because it’s available – they buy it because it’s exceptional,” he said. “Our U.S. red meat brand means something – it is the gold standard for quality, taste, safety, sustainability and reliability. Our beef, pork and lamb is sought out as incomes around the world grow. But we can’t take this for granted and we must continue to invest in international marketing, especially as our global competitors increase their quality and aim to compete with us.”

While emphasizing the need to diversify export destinations, Theiler also noted the importance of defending hard-earned market share with established trading partners.

“We cannot take our long-standing partners for granted,” Theiler said. “Markets like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico are vital and have been reliable trading partners for decades. We must continue to protect and strengthen those relationships, and we must keep earning their confidence and trust.”

Theiler succeeds Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from southwestern Nebraska, as USMEF chair. The USMEF chair-elect for the coming year is Dave Bruntz, who raises corn and soybeans and feeds cattle in southeastern Nebraska. Bruntz is a past president of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen. The USMEF vice chair is Darin Parker, director of Salt Lake City-based exporter/distributor PMI Foods. The newest USMEF officer is Secretary-Treasurer Ross Havens, a cattle producer who serves as marketing coordinator for Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa.

Optimism Reigns Despite Volatility in U.S. Red Meat Industry

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:39:12 GMT

Demand for U.S. red meat remains robust in key destinations where customers crave the quality and consistency of U.S. pork, beef and lamb, despite significant obstacles in the international marketplace, explained U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and CEO Dan Halstrom at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis.

Pork exports are modestly below last year’s record pace, but he says the gap stems mostly from a period early in 2025 when China’s retaliatory tariffs increased and the U.S. industry faced uncertainty about plant eligibility.

“Although export data is only available through July due to the government shutdown, pork shipments are on record pace to leading market Mexico, as well as to Central America and Colombia,” USMEF reports.

Halstrom says beef exports have been hit harder by barriers in China, where U.S. beef not only faces retaliatory tariffs, but also unwarranted plant delistings and China’s failure to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities. Fully reopening the world’s largest beef import market to U.S. beef will require several actions on China’s part, and the lockout could extend into 2026.

“This is obviously a political card that’s being held by the China side,” Halstrom says. “One thing I’m very confident in is that [the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative] is well aware of our position, well aware of what’s involved, and very well-informed. I do think they’ll get it worked out eventually, I just can’t tell you when – no one can.”

Free Trade Agreements are Key
Protecting and defending existing free trade agreements is an urgent priority, Halstrom says. He is optimistic that ongoing negotiations with several trading partners may lead to new opportunities for U.S. red meat, especially in Southeast Asia.

Over the past decade, red meat exports to free trade agreement partner countries have expanded by more than 30%, and exports to these destinations now account for 76% of total shipments, he says.

Invoking the Paul Harvey quote, “In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these,” Halstrom reminds USMEF members that the industry has endured tremendous trade setbacks in the past, including widespread market closures due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and plunging consumer confidence and buying power in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

“Remember that we overcame all those obstacles,” Halstrom says. “I believe that with the knowledge in this room, and with continued cooperation and collaboration, we can overcome anything.”

A Complicated Relationship
Keynote speaker Jan Lambregts, head of RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets, discussed the complexities of the U.S.-China trade relationship.

“I’m not quite sure if you will like this news, but I don’t think there will be a comprehensive deal coming soon between China and the U.S.,” Lambregts shares. “What the U.S. is demanding is access to Chinese markets. What China will never give is access to the Chinese market because that’s not how they’ve been winning in trade during the past 30 to 40 years.”

Both countries are playing for time, he says. China has been cut off from high-end semiconductors and needs time to develop its own semiconductor sector. Similarly, the U.S. needs time to build its rare earths capacity, including development of extraction and processing capabilities.

“In the meantime, the U.S. is basically sending all its allies the same message: What was previously free defense now must be paid for, because we (the U.S.) need to be compensated. And by the way, if you want to trade with China, there are conditions now,” Lambregts says.

Cantinas Campaign Adds a Little Spice to Mexico Meat Promotions

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:32:17 GMT

Variety meats are popular in cantinas, or casual dining restaurants, in the central part of Mexico. That’s why the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is finding creative ways to promote pork and beef variety meat items to bars and casual restaurants in Mexico as an affordable appetizer and snack option that will appeal to their customers.

“Variety meat exports provide critical returns for U.S. pork and beef producers, and Mexico is a leading destination for these products,” USMEF says.

USMEF’s marketing campaign, known as Cantina Vibes, has expanded to the northern part of the country because of the success in central Mexico. In northern Mexico, consumers are less familiar with variety meat dishes, but are attracted to the lower cost, high quality, U.S. pork and beef.

“When we talk about variety meats in pork, we talk about jowl, ears, brains, snout, stomach, etc. In beef, we are promoting small intestine, also liver and sweetbread,” says Rigoberto Treviño, trade manager for USMEF Mexico. “For example, with the pork snout, we are doing tacos, sopes, tostadas. So, it’s different cantina dishes with variety meat.”

Sweebread Taco

(USMEF)

Mexico is the leading volume destination for U.S. beef variety meat exports, totaling 124,000 metric tons last year. It is second only to China for pork variety meat exports, with shipments in 2024 topping 160,000 metric tons.

Treviño says U.S. pork and beef offer “really good quality” and amazing consistency. Plus, it is very affordable for the cantinas.

“Not all variety meats are affordable,” he points out. “I know that sweetbreads are a little bit more expensive. But the small intestine or pork stomach and pork snout are very affordable. You can have a pork jowl taco or a pork jowl sope with guacamole for about, a dollar. It’s very affordable, and it’s very important for those kinds of restaurants and casual dining.”

China Tariff Reduction is a Win for U.S. Pig Farmers

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:10:58 GMT

U.S. pork exports to China in the first seven months of the year were down 13%, largely due to retaliatory tariffs. Last week in the Republic of Korea, President Donald J. Trump reached a trade and economic deal with President Xi Jinping of China that includes suspending retaliatory tariffs set in March.

This historic agreement includes Chinese commitments to halt the flow of precursors used to make fentanyl into the U.S., effectively eliminate China’s current and proposed export controls on rare earth elements and other critical minerals, end Chinese retaliation against U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and other major U.S. companies and open China’s market to U.S. soybeans and other agricultural exports.

“In a win for U.S. agriculture and America’s pork producers, China has suspended its retaliatory tariffs set in March,” says National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president Duane Stateler, an Ohio pork producer. “We are very pleased to see the Trump administration answer the widespread call of agriculture, including persistent requests from the National Pork Producers Council, to negotiate for tariff removal and allow business with China to return to a more market-driven norm unburdened by these costly taxes.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation said in a statement on Monday that they are encouraged by the progress being made in trade negotiations with China, and appreciate the Trump administration’s emphasis on restoring market access for U.S. agricultural exports.

“If China follows through on its commitment to suspend all retaliatory tariffs announced since March 4, and to suspend or remove all retaliatory non-tariff countermeasures taken since that date, this puts U.S. pork in a much more competitive position in the Chinese market,” USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom said in a statement. “If the removal of non-tariff barriers means that China will promptly renew the U.S. beef plant and cold storage registrations it has allowed to expire over the past nine months, this will restore access to a critical beef export market. China’s recent delisting of some U.S. beef plants for technical violations is also a retaliatory measure that must be addressed. We are anxious to see further details on these issues.”

Here’s a look at the actions that have been agreed to by China and the U.S., acccording to Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strikes Deal on Economic and Trade Relations with China :

CHINESE ACTIONS:

China will suspend the global implementation of the expansive new export controls on rare earths and related measures that it announced on Oct. 9.
China will issue general licenses valid for exports of rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite for the benefit of U.S. end users and their suppliers around the world. The general license means the de facto removal of controls China imposed in April 2025 and October 2022.
China will take significant measures to end the flow of fentanyl to the U.S. Specifically, China will stop the shipment of certain designated chemicals to North America and strictly control exports of certain other chemicals to all destinations in the world.
China will suspend all of the retaliatory tariffs that it has announced since March 4, 2025. This includes tariffs on a vast swath of U.S. agricultural products: chicken, wheat, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
China will suspend or remove all of the retaliatory non-tariff countermeasures taken against the U.S. since March 4, including China’s listing of certain American companies on its end user and unreliable entity lists.
China will purchase at least 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025 and also purchase at least 25 MMT of U.S. soybeans in each of 2026, 2027, and 2028. Additionally, China will resume purchases of U.S. sorghum and hardwood logs.
China will take appropriate measures to ensure the resumption of trade from Nexperia’s facilities in China, allowing production of critical legacy chips to flow to the rest of the world.
China will remove measures it took in retaliation for the U.S.’s announcement of a Section 301 investigation on China’s Targeting the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance, and remove sanctions imposed on various shipping entities.
China will further extend the expiration of its market-based tariff exclusion process for imports from the U.S. and exclusions will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2026.
China will terminate its various investigations targeting U.S. companies in the semiconductor supply chain, including its antitrust, anti-monopoly, and anti-dumping investigations.

AMERICAN ACTIONS:

The U.S. will lower the tariffs on Chinese imports imposed to curb fentanyl flows by removing 10 percentage points of the cumulative rate, effective Nov. 10, and will maintain its suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports until November 10, 2026. (The current 10% reciprocal tariff will remain in effect during this suspension period.)
The U.S. will further extend the expiration of certain Section 301 tariff exclusions, currently due to expire on November 29, 2025, until Nov. 10, 2026.
The U.S. will suspend for one year, starting on Nov. 10, the implementation of the interim final rule titled Expansion of End-User Controls to Cover Affiliates of Certain Listed Entities.
The U.S. will suspend for one year, starting on Nov. 10, implementation of the responsive actions taken pursuant to the Section 301 investigation on China’s Targeting the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance. In the meantime, the U.S. will negotiate with China pursuant to Section 301 while continuing its historic cooperation with the Republic of Korea and Japan on revitalizing American shipbuilding.

Historic Trade Deals with Southeast Asia Open New Markets for U.S. Pork, Beef

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:27:22 GMT

President Donald Trump has secured historic trade deals to lower tariffs on U.S. exports and eliminate trade barriers, strengthening America’s economic and national security interests, said ambassador Jamieson Greer on Oct. 26.

Trump secured agreements on reciprocal trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and reached frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with Thailand and Vietnam.

Ambassador Greer believes these landmark deals demonstrate how America can maintain tariffs to shrink the goods trade deficit while opening new markets for American farmers, ranchers, workers and manufacturers.

ASEAN Region is Critical
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and CEO Dan Halstrom appreciates USTR’s tireless efforts to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers that have kept the U.S. as a minor supplier of red meat to the ASEAN region.

“With the U.S. beef industry currently lacking access to China, improved access to Southeast Asia is desperately needed to provide competing bids for beef cuts that are popular in Asia, but not demanded by American consumers,” Halstrom says. “Exports of short plate, chuck short rib, rib fingers, omasum and other such items are critical to maximizing the value of every animal and stimulating the U.S. herd rebuild.”

Exports have been an important driver of U.S. pork industry growth, enabling American consumers access to the bacon and ribs they love, while maximizing whole animal value through exports of feet, stomachs, picnics, brisket bones and bone-in hams, Halstrom says.

“The ASEAN region is more critical than ever as an alternative market to China, especially for pork variety meats,” he says.

U.S. beef and pork hold only minor import shares in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia due to the combination of tariff and non-tariff barriers. USMEF believes growth potential is significant when these barriers are addressed through President Trump’s agreements.

“USMEF looks forward to swift implementation of the agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, and hopes for further progress and implementation of agreements with Thailand and Vietnam, as well as follow through on the joint statement with Indonesia announced in July,” Halstrom says.

Malaysia is Key for U.S. Pork
U.S. pork exports to Malaysia hit record levels of over $24.5 million in 2024, a significant amount considering only eight U.S. plants are currently eligible for export, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) noted in a release. Exports to Malaysia have increased over 1,700% in the last five years.

“The deal with Malaysia will open access to all U.S. facilities included in the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory; will not impose additional product or facility registration requirements; and will ensure acceptance of the standard FSIS export certificate,” NPPC wrote. “In a separate deal, Cambodia agreed to the same terms.”

Malaysia also agreed to recognize the U.S. protection zone for African swine fever within 15 months of signing the deal and complete a regionalization deal.

“America’s pork producers are grateful to President Trump for increasing market access for U.S. pork to Malaysia, a country that has been importing pork despite limited plants being eligible for export,” said NPPC president Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “More than 25% of U.S. pork production is exported, so producers count on exports to help keep their farms afloat, especially in times of uncertainty.”

In fact, exports account for more than $66 in value from each hog marketed, NPPC explained. Meanwhile, pork production supports rural communities, and exports support over 140,000 American jobs.

“American pork producers need certainty and stability – now as much as ever – and NPPC will continue to engage with the administration and international partners to maintain and open new market access for U.S. pork,” NPPC said.

U.S. Pork Sausage Adds New Twist to Korean Pizza Chain's Menu

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:03:10 GMT

A South Korea pizza chain, Pizza Alvolo, was on the search for something new to add to its menu. The solution: U.S. pork sausage!

When Elly Sung, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior marketing manager for foodservice in Korea, suggested U.S. pork sausage, the chain settled on Johnsonville pork sausage after extensive product research and taste testing.

Andy Tauer, vice president for international market development at the National Pork Board, says the promotion is a perfect example of how USMEF amplifies the partnership between pork and soy. Tauer sampled the pizza and learned more details about its development on a recent market visit in Korea.

Andy Tauer says the new pizza topping is a hit in the Korean marketplace.

(USMEF)

It’s already a hit with Korean consumers, but Tauer says now is the time to position this pizza topping to get the most bang for the buck in the marketplace.

“It’s only been on market, I think, five to six weeks, but it’s already up to No. 6 for this pizza chain out of, I believe, 20 different pizzas. It’s really performing well,” Tauer says. “It was going to be a special offering. Now they’re going to keep it on the menu through the end of the year.”

Product development and marketing support have been provided by USDA, the United Soybean Board and the National Pork Board, USMEF says in a release.

3 Messages Pork Industry Leaders Want You to Hear in PORKtober

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:03:10 GMT

Although National Pork Month may not show up on everyone’s calendar, we think this special month deserves a little extra attention. Fall leaves and pumpkin spice lattes are delightful, but they don’t even begin to compare to bacon in our book.

Although October, aka “Pork Month,” used to be the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed, this month has now become a time to celebrate and show pork producers how much we appreciate the important role they play in feeding the world.

As we celebrate the taste of pork, let’s remember the many people who have invested in making this industry better over the years. From the people advancing technology on pig farms across the country to the people providing amazing individual care to each and every pig, the hard work, time and energy that go into this industry are noticed and appreciated.

“Our advocacy works. Producer voices are being heard. This year alone, our engagement was critical in securing a favorable tax package, funding for the Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), and vital protections against foreign animal diseases, among other wins for our industry. These successes prove that when we speak up, we can shape our own future. But the work is never done, and if we aren’t telling our own story, someone else will. National Pork Producers Council is a conduit for the collective voice of the pork industry. Let’s build on this momentum and together continue to be our own best advocates. Our legacy depends on it.” — Bryan Humphreys, National Pork Producers Council, CEO

“The one thing pork producers need to hear right now is that demand for U.S. pork around the globe is very strong, particularly for cuts that are undervalued in the U.S. We were just in Guatemala for our Latin American Product Showcase, bringing U.S. exporters together with buyers from 18 countries across Central and South America and the Caribbean, and those buyers were asking about U.S. pork loins and hams, as well as jowls and other variety meats. And robust pork sales around the world are being fueled by strong market access in countries like Mexico which has already purchased more than $1.5 billion in U.S. pork this year, as well as Central America, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Korea, all key free trade agreement partner regions.” — Dan Halstrom, United States Meat Export Federation, president and CEO

“National Pork Month is a perfect opportunity to recognize the resilience of our state pork associations and the producers they represent. NPB is committed to helping states and producers anticipate and adapt to continuous change in order to elevate pork’s position, presence and consumer appeal. This is how we can build trust and add value for U.S. pork worldwide. Thank you for your ongoing support of your Pork Checkoff.” — Brett Kaysen, National Pork Board, senior vice president of producer and state engagement

Late-Night Bacon Runs: Why South Korea is a Country to Watch

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:41:22 GMT

It’s 10 p.m. You open the refrigerator to find you are out of milk and bacon. How can you have breakfast without that pair? Now imagine the fastest “Amazon fulfillment center” processing your order overnight and delivering a carton of milk and pound of bacon to your doorstop by 6 a.m. the next morning.

“That may seem unachievable in the U.S., but that’s happening in South Korea with fresh products, in addition to chilled and frozen pork and beef,” says Josh Maschhoff, Illinois Pork Producers Association president and sixth-generation pork farmer. Maschhoff was part of the 21-member delegation made up of U.S. corn, soybean, beef and pork farmers visiting South Korea with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) advocating about U.S. agriculture and trade.

(USMEF)

Maschhoff says it’s time to open our eyes as a country to the possibility of these conveniences.

Full of Opportunity
South Korea is comparable to the size of state of Indiana, Maschhoff describes. Just picture that size of a region with 43 million more people in it.

“It’s dense,” he says. “It’s a lot of high-rise buildings, urban populations, and not a lot of opportunity to travel. Convenience is really important in their lives.”

In addition to convenience, Andy Tauer, vice president of international market development at the National Pork Board, says flavor is just as important priority for the consumers in South Korea.

“Flavor profile is huge,” Tauer says. “Pork brings the flavor to the table already, but then they add a little bit of Korean spice to it once it gets here. There is a lot of opportunity for further development of some additional U.S. pork products here in this marketplace.”

The aging population of the South Korean consumer was eye opening to Maschhoff.

“We have to figure out how to adapt our product and work with the retailers and the brokers here to market to those specific demographics,” Maschhoff says. “A common trend in Korea is the uptick of home meal replacement, where they can get a prepackaged product that contains meat and vegetables and could even be seasoned or precooked.”

Home meal replacement is popular in South Korean grocery stores.

(USMEF)

He says that is one example of matching convenience and the need to create products that South Korean customers value.

Jay Theiler, executive vice president for corporate affairs at Agri-Beef and USMEF chair elect, says he appreciates the value USMEF brings in trying to figure out how to market beef in new ways that can bring more value to producers.

“One example is really thin slicing of products for things like shabu-shabu,” Theiler says. “The trip also opened my eyes to markets for cuts we don’t use in the states, like tendons in soup. It’s so diverse the way the products are consumed here. That’s where the whole puzzle works. When you could get the different pieces and parts going to the right markets and create more value for us as producers.”

Sparse Shelves
It’s not as easy as “ship it and they will buy,” but Maschhoff says the shelves were a little sparse when it came time to find U.S. pork in the stores.

“The good side about that is it’s sparse because two weeks ago, the shelves were stacked and it flew off the shelves,” he says. “The U.S. is challenged in the current market, with Canada and a few others being able to come in here with a little cheaper price, and they’re filling more of the case right now, but that’s a small hurdle.”

Another challenge is connecting South Korean customers with packers and distributors to get them the product that they need in the specifics that they’d like to see it.

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Chair Ryan Moorhouse (left) and Nebraska beef producer Keith Kreikemeier check out the beef selection in Costco in Seoul.

(USMEF)

“Belly is the No. 1 pork product they import, and if we think about how popular bacon is in our domestic market, we’re limited in our opportunity,” Tauer points out. “But to their credit, they’re making bacon out of Boston Butt and some picnic bacon. They’re finding opportunities to continue to utilize that that U.S. pork product to deliver what the consumers are demanding here in South Korea.”

Ryan Moorhouse, Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair, expects beef demand in Korea to continue to grow.

“If you look at the amount of American beef that Korea has taken, it’s kind of straight up for the last 10 years,” Moorhouse says. “They like our product. They like American products in general. It’s a very competitive market, but it’s also a market where they eat a ton of protein. I think they’ll continue to eat more and more protein with the population that they have.”

Culture Connection
In addition to better understanding market opportunities, Tauer says these trips help U.S. farmers better understand international customers. They are a great way to form valuable relationships that could open doors in Asian markets.

(l to r) Josh Maschhoff and Andy Tauer listen to a presentation at Highland Foods, one of the South Korea’s largest importers of U.S. beef and pork, during their trip to learn about opportunities for U.S. red meat.

(USMEF)

“Being able to bring our U.S. producers over here so they can meet processors, retailers and give that story firsthand is key,” Tauer says. “For example, Josh gave a presentation to about 100 or so buyers in Korea about the sustainability efforts that not only he and his family are doing on their farm, but across the entire pork spectrum. As we’ve traveled around South Korea, we’ve seen a lot of sustainable labeling and animal welfare labeling. Being able to put that personal connection to their priorities is really important and helps continue to build that confidence and preference for U.S. pork.”

Maschhoff’s first trip to Asia, he was impressed with the politeness of the Korean culture.

“They have really aligned with the U.S. and depend on us to supply them with products they can’t supply on their own,” he says. “It makes you feel grateful that you can do that for them, and it’s something we take great pride in, being able to provide food for other people.”

It also reminded him of the importance of farmers telling their story and thinking more deeply about what the consumer (domestic and international) wants to buy.

“Dollar for dollar, as a pork producer or a beef producer, our checkoff dollars are well spent when investing in promotion with USMEF because we get that match with USDA funding. It goes a long way with helping to bridge the cultural gap and trying to innovate and think about different ways we can put our product on an international plate in a way that makes those consumers really appreciate it,” Maschhoff says. “Rather than us trying to push product to them, it’s letting them pull it from us in a way that they’d like to see it.”

Tauer hopes producers see the value that the international component brings to the overall pork cutout.

U.S. pork sampling sponsored by USMEF at Costco in Seoul.

(USMEF)

“As we think about some of these markets and the different products they want and desire from the U.S., these aren’t products that our domestic consumers are going to eat on a daily basis, or ever, quite frankly,” Tauer says. “Don’t forget that $64 to $66 is what the international market adds to the overall pork (carcass) value.”

Future Food Fulfillment
Maschhoff is the first to admit he “geeked out” a little at the technology in that fulfillment center in South Korea – that’s his engineering background coming through. But he says it’s more than that.

“Tasting what pork can do is not just about the quality or the versatility, but it’s about us trying to figure out how to make that convenient,” he says. “The fulfillment center concepts just make me hungry for why we need to go try to execute that same sort of a model in the domestic market. I think there’s a wealth of opportunity that we have not tapped yet. It’s easy to say, ‘Ah well, American consumers wouldn’t see that as something.’ But I think we need to keep an open mind and learn from other countries.”

Listen to more about the trip on AgriTalk with Chip Flory.

A Mixed Bag for Red Meat Exports: Strong July for Pork, Challenges for Beef

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:41:11 GMT

It’s been a solid month again for pork, says U.S. Meat Export Federation President (USMEF) and CEO Dan Halstrom. Although numbers were down slightly from last year at 238,922 metric tons, July exports accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the USMEF.

“It’s really the same theme that we’ve heard for a while,” Halstrom says. “Broad-based results from a lot of different countries are contributing to it. The leader continues to be Mexico.”

He points out that Central America in particular was at 14,500 tons, 35% above a year ago.

“Central America continues to be amazing on pork,” he says. “You’ve got regions like the Caribbean, they continue to perform, up again this month.”

Another highlight for pork is recent news about increased quotas into the European Union.

“We’ve been saying all along that in these negotiations, pork is sort of the quiet potential winner here in terms of incremental access,” Halstrom says. “And Europe is not generally thought of as a destination for pork exports, but there has been some history in the past with significant tonnages going there, and this might allow us to rekindle that demand, especially on items like ham meat.”

Pork variety meat demand was strong in July, with exports posting the second largest volume this year, Halstrom says. He notes pork value fell 4% to $680.9 million, largely reflecting the 10% decline in pork variety meat prices due to China’s tariffs.

Through the first seven months of 2025, pork exports were 4% below last year’s record pace in both volume (1.69 million mt) and value ($4.8 billion).

A Major Thorn in the Side for U.S. Beef

U.S. beef performed very well in July in leading market South Korea, as well as in the Caribbean, Central America, Chile, the Philippines and Africa. But with shipments to China nearly halted due to a lack of eligible plants, July beef exports were down 19% from a year ago to 89,579 mt, the lowest in five years. Export value declined 17% to $752.5 million, the lowest since January 2023.

“We were down about 19% at just about 90,000 metric tons. The vast majority of that decrease is attributable to China, which we fully expected,” Halstrom adds. “China continues to be a major thorn in our side in terms of lack of access, with the vast majority of the beef plants and cold storages not listed for China.”

Halstrom says this continues to be a very high profile priority for USTR and USDA, and USMEF is pushing strongly in that area.

“Outside of China, demand continues to be pretty resilient. Korea had a very good month in the month of July. We saw growth in excess of 10% there. While down slightly, Japan had a fairly good month as well,” he says.

From January through July, beef exports were 8% below last year in volume (691,800 mt) and down 7.5% in value ($5.67 billion).

Product Showcase Connects U.S. Meat Exporters with Buyers from Across Latin America

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:47:13 GMT

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) conducted another highly successful Latin American Product Showcase, connecting U.S. red meat exporters with dozens of prospective buyers from Central and South America. Held July 30-31 in Guatemala City, the 13th edition of the showcase featured 67 exhibitors and representatives from more than 80 USMEF member companies. With prospective buyers participating from 18 countries, total participants exceeded 500.

Through funding support from USDA, the National Pork Board, the Beef Checkoff Program, the Nebraska Beef Council and the Indiana Soy Alliance, USMEF’s Latin American Product Showcase has developed into a must-do event for a wide range of U.S. exporters and buyers from throughout the region. Attending for the first time, USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher, cattle feeder and grain farmer from southwestern Nebraska, said the showcase is a great example of the U.S. red meat industry’s effort to attract new customers and further develop emerging markets.

“There are buyers here who want the top of the line, then we have people maybe wanting that mid cut, and there is also a lot of demand for cuts we don’t use in the United States,” Hanson said. “That adds value, and as a U.S. cattleman I see it as a win-win situation.”

These sentiments were echoed by Kevin Rasmussen, an Iowa pork producer who serves on the National Pork Board. He also appreciated the opportunity to personally connect with international customers.

“A cool thing about Central America is they love some of the pork cuts that we don’t consume a lot of in the in the U.S., like the loin,” Rasmussen said. “They’re a huge fan of the pork loin. They say it’s very versatile in their cooking experience, and they enjoy it a lot. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to come to event like this and promote our product – talk to the buyers who are here, and ask them, ‘what do you want to know from a producer from north-central Iowa?’”

Whether they were veterans of many USMEF product showcases or first-time participants, importers found the event very productive. Juan Jose Trujillo is CEO of Frestolu, based in Medellin, Colombia. He attended the showcase for the first time in an effort to expand the scope of his processing business.

“We are a processing company, doing mainly shrimp, and we’re looking for another protein,” Trujillo explained. “So that’s why we are here, trying to understand more about beef and pork, so we can start selling these two proteins in Colombia.”

Trujillo said he sees the most immediate opportunity in U.S. pork ribs and pork variety meat items.

“Lungs, facemasks, ears, and also ribs,” he said. “There is a lot of rib consumption in our area, so we will start with those products.”

Alejandro Martinez, owner of Medellin-based importing company Inversiones Proteam, regularly returns to the USMEF showcase because it continues to deliver value for his business.

“This is my fifth [USMEF] show, and I think it’s the best one so far for me,” Martinez said. “It’s a very good opportunity to see all the providers and suppliers in one place.”

Martinez also enjoyed the opportunity to gather information and ideas from the wide range of buyers attending the showcase.

“I was talking to some people from Honduras and Guatemala, and they import basically the same products as my business,” he said. “But they do different things, serve different types of customers, and they process the items differently. So yes, it’s good to take some of these ideas and think about how I can implement them in Colombia.”

U.S. ag industry leaders participating in the showcase also took part in a retail tour, visiting a range of local outlets offering U.S. pork and beef.

Nebraska Beef Council member Mark Goes, who raises purebred cattle in southeastern Nebraska, appreciated the opportunity to see how U.S. red meat is merchandised in Guatemala City.

“We were able to visit four tiers of marketing yesterday, starting with a wet market,” he said. “Then we moved up three levels, touring a local grocery store, then a Walmart type of market, then a premium market. As we moved on up to the upper levels, we saw those premium cuts of beef, with U.S. Choice and Prime in great demand. Select, not so much, because they’re able to get that type of product locally.”

“When we look at what’s in the meat case at Walmart and some of those higher end grocery stores in Guatemala, U.S. pork cuts are very competitive,” Rasmussen added. “In that meat case, our product looks really good. The consumer in Central America is really keyed in on the quality of the product and willing to pay for quality.”

The event also had an important educational aspect, with USMEF Director of Trade Analysis Jessica Spreitzer presenting a comprehensive outlook for U.S. red meat production, consumption and trade. Paulo de Leon, executive director of CABI Economics, gave attendees an economic outlook for the Latin American region. Erick Sosa, Guatemala manager for Microsoft Americas, offered insights on how participants can use artificial intelligence in their business operations.

The next USMEF Latin American Product Showcase is planned for the summer of 2027, with the location and dates to be determined.

Industry Hopeful for U.S.- Indonesia Trade Deal to Expand Red Meat Markets

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 20:58:53 GMT

With the announcement of the U.S. and Indonesian framework for a trade agreement, more access for U.S. beef and pork could become a reality.

U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror says the U.S. has had limited access to Indonesia. While tariffs are low at 5%, significant non-tariff trade barriers that have also been in place. These include import licensing regime, the commodity balance and facility registration, or plant-by-plant approvals for U.S. beef.

“Those kind of three pillars of market access barriers are how Indonesia has really managed imports for decades at this point,” Borror says.

Removing all non-tariff barriers would open the doors for beef demand in Indonesia.

“The opportunity there is $250 million annually,” Borror says. “That’s a short run estimate. If we remain out of that China market, having Indonesia compete on these short plates, short ribs, chuck short ribs, a number of the offal items, would be tremendous.”

In addition, U.S. pork faces similar trade barriers in Indonesia, a country with 30 million non-Muslims who have shown a growing demand for U.S. pork. Exporters and importers have seen that barrier in action so far this year.

“Trying to manage those pork imports through its variety of commodity balance and import licensing regimes, we’ve already had a doubling in our volumes to Indonesia on the pork side, albeit from a small base, but you see that strong growth,” Borror adds. “African Swine Fever remains rampant kind of in the region.”

She sees potential as Indonesian customers keep asking for more U.S. pork.

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