China lockout drives US beef exports down 11% in April
Variety meats a bright spot, up 20% with Mexico leading gains
18 June 2026
1 minute read
By: US beef exports trended lower in April due to the impasse with China, along with year-over-year declines in other major markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
April beef exports totalled 89,783 mt, down 11% from a year ago, while value fell 5% to $780.6 million. While prospects are brightening for US beef’s return to the China market, April results still reflected a near-total lockout. April shipments were higher than a year ago to Taiwan and Egypt and increased significantly to the Caribbean and ASEAN regions and to Peru, but trended lower to other major markets.
Beef variety meats were again a bright spot in April, with exports climbing 20% from a year ago to 25,314 mt, led by growth to top volume market Mexico, valued at $114.7 million (up 40%). For January through April, beef and beef variety meat exports were 11% below the 2025 pace at 365,138 mt, and declined 5% in value to $3.13 billion. But when excluding China from these results, exports were up slightly (+0.3%) in volume and increased 7% in value.
"Global demand for US beef has proven very resilient, even in the face of tight supplies and higher prices," said USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom. "But there are certainly significant headwinds, including the impact of weak currencies in Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia, and higher energy prices weighing on consumer confidence and disposable income."
"And while we were thrilled to see China renew US beef plant registrations following the summit meeting between President Trump and President Xi, additional obstacles must also be addressed before US beef’s presence in China rebounds," he added.
