US beef exports see sharp decline in January

US beef imports have fallen considerably, as shown by data from the USDA compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). US beef exports also declined in volume in January but showed resilience in value terms, reflecting firmer pricing despite continued limited access to the Chinese market.Total beef exports reached 92,558 tonnes, down 10% year-on-year. Export value declined by a smaller margin, falling 3% to $780.1 million, indicating higher average prices. Excluding China, exports increased 5% in volume and 16% in value, suggesting underlying demand remains firm in other markets. However, not all exports are in decline. Shipments trended higher year-on-year to several key destinations, including South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean, ASEAN and South America. Export value also increased to Mexico, Canada and Central America.A notable development in January was the strong performance of beef variety meat exports. Volumes rose 6% year-on-year to 27,511 tonnes, the highest since September 2021, while value increased 46% to a record $126 million. Growth was driven in part by increased shipments to Japan, where exports rose 88% to 6,137 tonnes and value increased 84% to $54.7 million. Additional gains were recorded in South Korea, Taiwan, Peru, Chile and South Africa, while exports to Mexico declined slightly in volume but increased in value.Export returnreason for the decline. China remained largely inaccessible for US beef. January exports were minimal, falling 94% in volume compared with nearly 16,000 tonnes a year earlier, while value declined 97% from $135 million. This reflects ongoing trade re reason for the decline. China remained largely inaccessible for US beef. January exports were minimal, falling 94% in volume compared with nearly 16,000 tonnes a year earlier, while value declined 97% from $135 million. This reflects ongoing trade reively strong. Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $415.15 in January, up 12% year-on-year. Exports accounted for 12.8% of total beef production, slightly higher than a year earlier, while the share of muscle cuts exported declined to 9.6% from 10.2%.Chinese exports almost nil There is one clear reason for the decline. China remained largely inaccessible for US beef. January exports were minimal, falling 94% in volume compared with nearly 16,000 tonnes a year earlier, while value declined 97% from $135 million. This reflects ongoing trade restrictions, with only small volumes of previously eligible product still entering the market.Japan remained a key market overall. Combined beef and variety meat exports to Japan totalled 19,956 tonnes in January, up 5% year-on-year, with value increasing 7% to $149.5 million. Exports to Taiwan also rose sharply from a low base, reaching 5,631 tonnes valued at $63 million. This represents an increase of 79% in volume and 63% in value compared with January 2025. A recently concluded reciprocal trade agreement between the US and Taiwan is expected to improve market access, although the new terms have not yet been implemented.South Korea, the leading value market for US beef, recorded moderate growth. January exports totalled 19,482 tonnes, up 4% year-on-year, while value increased 6% to $192.6 million. The month marked the first period in which US beef entered Korea duty-free under the Korea–US Free Trade Agreement, following a 15-year tariff phase-out from an initial 40%.Mixed results Other regions showed mixed but generally positive results. Beef exports to the Caribbean rose 7% in volume to 2,962 tonnes, while value increased 30% to $32.1 million, supported by demand in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Exports to ASEAN increased 24% in volume to 2,303 tonnes, with value up 7% to $16.8 million, driven by larger shipments to Indonesia and Vietnam. In Central America, export value increased 22% to $19.2 million despite a 1% decline in volume to 1,910 tonnes. Shipments to Guatemala were a key contributor, rising 33% in value to nearly $10 million. Meanwhile, exports to the Middle East declined 12% in volume to 4,488 tonnes, largely due to lower variety meat shipments to Egypt, although value edged up 1% to $21.7 million.