The USDA finally released August red meat export data that was delayed by the government shutdown. Compiled by the US Meat Export Federation, August data showed a relatively strong performance for US pork exports.
However, beef exports were sharply lower than a year ago, hit by an impasse with China that has effectively locked US beef out of the world’s largest import market, the USMEF said in a release.
PORK EXPORTS DECLINE
August pork exports totaled 236,311 tonnes in August, down 2,678 tonnes, or 1.12%, from 238,989 tonnes a year ago, valued at $685.927 million, down $16.979 million, or 2.42%, from $702.906 million a year ago.
August exports were bolstered by another remarkable performance by leading market Mexico, where shipments climbed about 8% from a year ago to 102,790 tonnes, the fifth largest volume on record, the USMEF said. Value reached $252.3 million, up about 9% and the second highest on record, trailing only December 2024.
For January through August, pork exports were 1.930 million tonnes, 67,000, or 3.36%, less than last year’s record pace of 1.997 million tonnes. Value over the period was $5.481 billion, down $195 million, or 3.44%, from $5.676 billion last year.
This year-to-date gap was attributable mostly to lower exports to China, where US pork faced retaliatory tariffs, the USMEF said. This situation was especially disruptive in the spring months, when tariffs imposed by the US and China temporarily escalated and there was growing uncertainty about the continued eligibility of US plants.
While that situation has since stabilized, China’s total tariff on US pork and most pork variety meat had been 57% until Nov. 10, when it was reduced to 47%, the USMEF said.
BEEF EXPORTS DOWN
August beef exports totaled 83,388 tonnes, down 19,294, tonnes, or 18.8%, from 102,682 tonnes a year ago and the lowest since June 2020, the USMEF said. Export value for the month fell $150.429 million, or 17.8%, to $695.489 million from $845.918 million, the lowest since February 2021.
While exports to China plummeted, shipments were fairly steady to leading market South Korea and trended higher than a year ago to the Caribbean and Central and South America, the USMEF said.
For January through August, beef exports were 81,695 tonnes, or 9.53%, less than last year at 775,188 tonnes, compared with 856,883 tonnes last year, while value declined $613,000, or 8.78%, to $6.367 billion from $6.980 billion.
With US beef facing a multi-layered lockout in China, export results have worsened throughout 2025 as supplies of eligible product were depleted and more plants were suspended in June and August, the USMEF said. Exports to China sank to just 862 tonnes in August, down about 94% from a year ago.
For January through August, exports to China were about 52% less than last year in volume at 56,494 tonnes and about 53% lower in value at $484.2 million. The accumulated decline in exports for January through October was estimated at $832 million, as September and October exports are certain to be minimal. China has failed to renew registrations for the vast majority of US beef plants and cold storage facilities, but renewing these registrations is just one of the steps necessary to restore access for US beef in China, where 16 US plants have been suspended since June and 30 facilities have been suspended since 2022.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $227.07 per cwt to $231.74, compared with last week’s range of $229.81 to $239.00 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $353.46 per cwt to $362.66, compared with $361.70 to $369.29.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was up $0.05 per cwt at $371.28 while select was up $0.63 at $354.18. The choice/select spread narrowed to $17.10 from $17.68 with 93 loads of fabricated product and 23 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $402.57 per cwt, and 50% beef was $173.70.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.05 to $1.20 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.26 1/2, down $0.03 1/4.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Wednesday was $341.16 per cwt, up $1.14. This compares with Thursday’s Nov contract settlement of $340.65, down $1.20.