US beef exports rise 4%, while pork shipments fall 6%

US beef exports increased by 4% year on year in August 2026 to more than 86.36 thsd tons. In value terms, shipments rose by 13% to $785.9 mln, according to USDA data compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Growth in beef exports was supported by strong demand from Taiwan, South Korea and Middle Eastern markets. Shipments also recovered to ASEAN countries, Colombia and Côte d’Ivoire. At the same time, exports to China remain constrained by unresolved technical trade issues.

Despite the positive August performance, US beef exports in January–August were down 7% year on year to 721.15 thsd tons. Export value declined by 1% to $6.32 bln, mainly due to weaker shipments to China.

US pork exports, by contrast, fell by 6% in August to 222.24 thsd tons, while export value dropped by 12% to $606.3 mln. The decline was largely driven by lower shipments to Mexico amid higher domestic pork production and weaker demand for ham.

At the same time, US pork exports in the first eight months of the year remained 1% above the year-earlier level at 1.95 mln tons, while export value was steady at $5.47 bln. Stronger shipments to Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean partly offset weaker trade with several traditional markets.

Tags: Beef cattle, USA, export, pork