China Trade Dispute Hits U.S. Beef Exports in September
The USDA has released delayed red meat export figures for September following the recent government shutdown, with data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) showing mixed results for U.S. pork and beef. Pork exports remained relatively stable, matching last year’s export value despite a slight decline in volume.
Beef exports, however, fell to their lowest monthly level in more than five years, largely due to stalled shipments to China and reduced exports to other Asian markets.
“We are encouraged by the robust and resilient global demand for U.S. pork – especially in Mexico, but also in a broad range of international markets,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The situation is obviously much more challenging on the beef side, primarily due to the ongoing impasse with the Chinese government, which continues to ignore its commitments under the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement. U.S. industry losses continue to mount as a result of this lockout, and relief simply cannot come soon enough.”
In response to these trade challenges, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is conducting a Section 301 investigation into China’s compliance with the Phase One Agreement. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16. USMEF has submitted formal comments outlining China’s failure to uphold its red meat trade obligations.
September pork exports totaled 233,816 metric tons, down 2% from the previous year, while export value held steady at $683.9 million. Mexico led the way with a record-setting monthly value of nearly $260 million. Muscle cut exports increased 1% to $586.2 million, although variety meat exports declined due in part to China’s retaliatory tariffs. When excluding China, pork and variety meat exports were 4% higher than last year.
For the first nine months of the year, pork exports totaled 2.16 million metric tons valued at $6.16 billion, down 3% from the 2024 record pace. Exports to Mexico have already surpassed $2 billion in value this year, while shipments to Central America, Colombia, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, and Vietnam also posted year-over-year gains.
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