Beef exports increase, remain lower year-on-year

The US beef export decreased again in October 2025 compared to the previous year, according to data from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The weak result is primarily due to the negligible exports to China. However, it is notable that exports have increased compared to the previous month. The beef export amounted to 93,448 tonnes in October, a decrease of 11% compared to a year earlier. However, it was the highest monthly volume since June and a recovery of 16% compared to the low point in September. The export value reached $759.5 million. This was also the highest level since June. The increase amounted to 15%, although this was still 12% below the level of a year ago. Year-on-year, exports increased to Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the ASEAN region, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia. However, this growth was largely offset by the suspended access to the Chinese market. Without China, the beef export in October increased by 5% in volume and 7% in value compared to a year earlier. For the period from January to October, the beef export totaled 949,471 tonnes, a decrease of 11% compared to the pace in 2024, while the export value decreased by 10% to $7.79 billion. These figures underscore the significant impact of China being absent as a market. When excluding China, the decline for the first ten months was only 3% in volume and 1% in value compared to the same period in 2024, according to USMEF. The organization indicates that this points to a relatively stable demand in other important markets. Japan and South Korea are the main buyersThe export to Japan also shows recovery in October and retained its recently acquired position as the largest buyer by volume for US beef exports. The exports to Japan amounted to 19,734 tonnes, an increase of 17% year-on-year, while the value increased by 16% to $149.8 million. Particularly, the export of beef by-products was strong, with the value of parts that are considered offal in most markets exceeding $50 million for the first time since July 2022. However, for the period from January to October, total exports to Japan were slightly lower, with a decline of 2% in volume to 201,221 tonnes and 6% in value to $1.49 billion. On the other hand, South Korea remained the main destination in terms of value, although exports took a step back in October. The export decreased by 15% year-on-year to 16,690 tonnes, while the value declined by 20% to $153 million. Nonetheless, export remained positive for the period from January to October. Exports to Korea were 3% higher in both volume (194,407 tonnes) and value ($1.85 billion) compared to the same period in 2024. Taiwan also showed a clear recovery in October, with exports of 5,475 tonnes – the second highest monthly volume of the year – an increase of 41% compared to a year earlier. The export value to Taiwan increased by 16% to $56.2 million. Exports to China are virtually negligibleIn contrast, exports to China remained negligible. In October, only 584 tonnes were exported, a decrease of 97% compared to a year earlier, while the value fell by 98% to $3.3 million. This significantly depressed the total export result. For the period from January to October, exports to China were 61% lower in volume and 63% lower in value than in 2024. The export value per slaughtered beef in October averaged $364.78 and $390.28 for the first ten months, both lower than a year earlier. Meanwhile, the results closer to home were mixed but predominantly positive. Although beef exports to Central America decreased by 15% in volume in October, the export value increased by 26% to $21.5 million. This brought the value from January to October to a record of $172.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 30%. Exports to the Caribbean increased in October by 5% in volume and 22% in value, driven by strong demand from the Dominican Republic. In South America, the volume remained stable in October, but the value increased sharply, especially thanks to Colombia, where exports more than doubled in volume and nearly quadrupled in value after the lifting of previous trade restrictions. Canada also showed a strong month in October, with a volume increase of 23% and a value increase of 37% to $83.3 million.