Why Exporters Export, And Importers Import Beef

Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and China are large importers of beef. New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, are large exporters. The U.S. is both, ranked fourth globally in beef exports second in imports. What factors determine whether a country is a beef importer, exporter, or both? Derrell Peel, a livestock economist at Oklahoma State University (OSU), discussed this question in a recent article in the OSU extension newsletter, Cow-Calf Corner.

Peel says beef trade between countries is driven by a variety of factors like cattle inventories/beef production, population, general and product specific beef preferences, and transportation/logistics. A large population and a high per capita beef consumption contribute to greater beef consumption.