US beef exports to Japan dip in Q1 on lower muscle cut volumes
Variety meat gains fail to offset overall 4% volume decline in the quarter
26 May 2026
1 minute read
By: US beef exports to Japan fell 4% in volume to 57,396 metric tons through the first quarter of 2026, while value dropped 3% to $436.8 million, according to USDA data compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The decline reflected stronger variety meat shipments offset by weaker muscle cut volumes.
Japan remains the leading volume market for US beef and ranks second to Korea in export value.
