US beef imports up 10% in April as demand remains firm - USDA
Argentine shipments surge 90% year-to-date on expanded quota
15 July 2026
1 minute read
By: US beef imports totalled 522 million pounds in April, up 10% year over year, with higher shipments from Mexico, Canada and Australia accounting for the majority of the increase, according to the USDA's June livestock, dairy and poultry outlook.
Imports from New Zealand fell 18% while Brazilian shipments were about 1% lower year over year. Imports from Argentina continued to run well above year-ago levels, with year-to-date shipments through April up more than 90% compared to the same period last year.
The USDA left its import forecasts unchanged from the previous month. Strong demand for imported lean trimmings is expected to keep import volumes elevated, with the 2026 annual forecast at 6.109 billion pounds, up nearly 12% year over year. The 2027 forecast is 6.000 billion pounds.
