In June, the value of US beef exports increased from a year earlier despite lower volumes, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation.
June pork exports were less than last year, largely because of a sharp decline in pork variety meat exports attributable to pseudorabies-related restrictions that have since been lifted by Mexico and Colombia, the USMEF said in a release.
JUNE BEEF EXPORT VALUES RISE
June beef exports totaled 88,586 tonnes, down 5,342 tonnes, or 5.69%, from 93,928 tonnes a year ago, the USMEF said. However, export value was up $21.069 million, or 2.74%, to $790.100 million from $769.031 million last year.
Value was bolstered by year-over-year increases in Japan, Taiwan, the ASEAN region, Central America, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Africa, the USMEF said. Export value was nearly steady to the Middle East but declined to Mexico, Canada and China.
For the first half of 2026, beef export volume was 55,572 tonnes, or 9.24%, lower than a year ago at 545,649 tonnes from 601,221 tonnes, while value fell $183 million, or 3.72%, to $4.736 billion from $4.919 billion, the USMEF said.
Much of that decline was from the continued absence from China, where beef exports were strong in the first quarter of 2025 before China allowed US facility registrations to expire, the USMEF said. Although these registrations were renewed during President Trump’s visit to China in May, exports to China remain minimal because of plant suspensions and uncertainty over China’s residue testing – trade barriers that US officials are working to resolve.
When China is removed from the January-June results, beef export volume declined just 1% from the first half of last year while export value increased 6%, the USMEF said.
JUNE PORK EXPORTS DOWN
Pork exports totaled 224,822 tonnes in June, down 14,482 tonnes, or 6.05%, from 239,304 tonnes a year ago, with value falling $58.139 million, or 8.52%, to $624.460 million from $682.599 million, the USMEF said.
While pork muscle cuts were modestly lower, most of the decline was because of a 21% drop in pork variety meat exports, the USMEF said. As the USMEF previously reported, Mexico and Colombia suspended imports of US pork offal at the beginning of May, and this situation was not resolved until early July for Colombia and mid-July for Mexico, but exporters still face prolonged clearance times in China for heightened inspections.
June pork exports to Mexico were still relatively strong, though down significantly from the large totals posted a year ago, the USMEF said. Exports increased year over year in June to Japan, Colombia, Central America and the Dominican Republic but declined to China, South Korea, Oceania and the ASEAN region.
For the first half of 2026, pork exports totaled 1.506 million tonnes, up 51,000 tonnes, or 3.51%, from 1.455 million tonnes a year ago, while value increased $104 million, or 2.53%, to $4.218 billion from $4.114 billion, the USMEF said.
Year-to-date export volume to Mexico was slightly lower, but value remained steady with last year’s record pace, the USMEF said. Exports also were on a record pace to Central America and the Dominican Republic and increased substantially to Japan.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $230.96 per cwt to $236.00, compared with last week’s range of $230.68 to $237.92 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $361.94 per cwt to $369.77, compared with $361.74 to $377.75.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was down $4.11 per cwt at $363.86 while select was up $1.72 at $349.78. The choice/select spread narrowed to $14.08, from $19.91 with 99 loads of fabricated product and 19 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the daily weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $454.59 per cwt, and 50% beef was $165.03.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.18 to $1.34 a bushel over the Sep corn contract, which settled at $4.33 3/4 a bushel, up $0.02.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Wednesday was $352.93 per cwt, up $4.28. This compares with Thursday’s Aug contract settlement of $348.25 per cwt, down $5.07.