USA

USMEF: Strong April beef demand from Korea, Central and South America

Beef

Due in part to a sharp decline in shipments to China, April exports of U.S. beef trended lower than a year ago, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). China’s retaliatory duties are a major headwind for U.S. beef. China has failed to renew establishment registrations for U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities, the majority of which expired in mid-March.

Posted on Jun 10 ,00:25

April beef exports totaled 100,659 metric tons (mt), down 10% from a year ago, while value fell 8% to $824.5 million. Exports to China declined nearly 70% and shipments also trended lower to Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle East. These results were partially offset by larger exports to South Korea, Japan and Central and South America.

For January through April, beef exports were 3% below last year’s pace at 411,027 mt. Export value was down just 1% to $3.35 billion.

"We expected beef shipments to China to hit a wall in April, due to the one-two punch of higher tariffs and expired plant registrations,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “We are hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon and are encouraged by this week’s developments on trade negotiations with China. In the meantime, USMEF remains committed to market diversification and we have accelerated efforts to develop alternative destinations for cuts and variety meat items normally shipped to China".

China’s total duties on U.S. beef peaked in April at 147%. The rate was lowered to 32% on May 14 when the U.S. and China agreed to a temporary de-escalation to allow for further negotiations. (Product that shipped prior to April 10 was allowed to clear without the additional 125%, provided it arrived by May 13.) President Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 5 and said further talks will be held soon.

April beef exports to leading value market South Korea totaled 23,460 mt, up 18% from a year ago. Export value was $216.4 million, up 16% and the largest since 2023. These results pushed January-April exports 3% above last year’s pace at 81,638 mt, valued at $784.8 million (up 6%). The June 3 presidential election is expected to restore some level of economic stability in Korea, which has dealt with political turmoil since former president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached in December.

The trade impasse with China has created some new opportunities for U.S. beef in Korea. For example, greater availability of U.S. short plate opened the door for additional promotions in the retail sector.

Robust demand in Guatemala fueled another excellent month for U.S. beef exports to Central America, which increased 18% from a year ago to 2,113 mt, topping 2,000 for the second consecutive month. This included 1,065 mt for Guatemala, the second largest volume on record. April export value for the region soared 53% to $18.2 million. Through the first four months of 2025, exports to Central America increased 9% to 8,131 mt, while value climbed 30% to $70.7 million. Exports to both Guatemala and Panama are above the record pace established a year ago.

U.S. beef’s presence in Colombia continued to regain momentum in April, with exports climbing 128% from a year ago in volume (447 mt, the highest since February 2024), valued at $4.6 million – up 149% and the highest since September 2023. Exports to Colombia were interrupted last year due to restrictions related to highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows. Full access was restored in September, but the six-month absence from the market was a significant setback. With shipments also increasing to Chile and Peru, April exports to South America increased 41% to 1,864 mt, valued at $15.2 million (up 88%). This included 643 mt of chilled beef to Chile, the highest since 2022. While January-April export volume to South America was down 4% from a year ago at 6,324 mt, value climbed an impressive 29% to $45.8 million.

Other January-April results for U.S. beef exports include:

April beef exports to China totaled 5,326 mt, down 68% from a year ago. Export value fell 69% to $44.4 million. These results pushed January-April exports to China 16% below last year’s pace in volume (50,020 mt) and 15% lower in value ($434.8 million). This downward trend will continue until China restores eligibility for all registered U.S. plants.
Japan maintained its position as the largest volume destination for U.S. beef as April exports increased 6% from a year ago to 22,375 mt, valued at $165.3 million (up 1.5%). For January through April, exports to Japan were 2% below last year’s pace in both volume (82,221 mt) and value ($617 million).
April beef exports to Mexico totaled 17,676 mt, up slightly from March but down 16% from the large year ago volume. Export value was $107.3 million, down slightly from March and 11% lower year-over-year. Mexico’s domestic slaughter increased in the first fourth months of the year, as its exports of feeder cattle to the United States have been interrupted by spread of the New World screwworm. For January through April, beef exports to Mexico were down 6% from a year ago in volume (72,537 mt) and 3% lower in value ($784.8 million).
After a strong performance in March, beef exports to Taiwan took a step back in April at 4,492 mt, down 17% from a year ago, while value fell 8% to $54 million. January-April exports to Taiwan increased 5% in value ($201.7 million) despite a 5% decline in volume (16,704 mt).
Beef exports to the Caribbean have also increased in value in 2025 despite lower volumes. This trend continued in April as exports fell 3% from a year ago to 2,801 mt, but increased 25% in value to $28.6 million. Through April, exports to the region climbed 10% in value to $109.6 million, driven by record-level shipments to the Netherlands Antilles, Leeward-Windward Islands and Turks and Caicos, as well as robust demand in the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. January-April volume was down 5% at 11,370 mt.
A surge in demand from Cote D’Ivoire and larger shipments to Morocco and Gabon drove April beef exports to Africa 18% above last year at 1,107 mt, valued at $1.6 million (up 17%). Through April, shipments to Africa – which are mostly beef variety meat – increased 16% to 4,765 mt, while value climbed 30% to $7.4 million. January-April shipments were record-large to Morocco (1,429 mt, up 199%), were the highest since 2013 to Cote d’Ivoire (1,716 mt, up 210%), and were the highest since 2020 to Gabon (1,304 mt, up 15%).
Lack of access in Indonesia contributed to the 38% decrease in exports to the ASEAN region in April, totaling 2,404 mt. January-April exports to the region were down 19% in both volume (8,408 mt) and value ($68.6 million).
April beef exports equated to $396.71 per head of fed slaughter, down 5% from a year ago. The January-April per-head average was still up 1% to $415.16. Exports accounted for 13.1% of total April beef production and 11.1% for muscle cuts only, down from 14.1% and 11.7%, respectively, a year ago. The January-April ratios were 13.6% of total production and 11.4% for muscle cuts, down from 13.9% and 11.6%, respectively, a year ago.