Beef Exports Start 2026 Hot

Exports of beef started 2026 very strong.  Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said beef variety meat exports in January high $126 million, a record.

“Led by Japan, but a lot of other markets as well on the variety meat side," Halstrom noted.  "Markets like Korea and, of course, Mexico. So we're excited about that. If you look at the beef side in general, while down - down about 10% year-on-year, you take China out of the mix and we're up. We're up 5% on volume and 16% on value. So I think this is a testament to the fact that in the rest of the world demand remains very, very good on U.S. beef.”

Halstrom said beef demand was particularly strong in Asia, and not just Japan and Korea.

“The real story for January is Taiwan, up almost 80% on volume, year-on-year," Halstrom said.  "Not exciting just because of that fact, but we do have a reciprocal trade agreement with announcements here last month about increased access and better terms, and those aren't even in effect yet.  So, the fact that we had this growth without the benefit of what's going to happen to the reciprocal trade agreement really is good news as we look forward later into 2026.”

By the way, Halstrom noted that exports to Japan and Korea were up 5% in January.

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