US beef imports up 13% in June, led by Australia
2025 imports forecast 16% higher as Mexico shipments rise
13 October 2025
1 minute read
By: US beef imports in June totalled 457 million pounds, about 13% higher year over year, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook for September. Monthly imports from Australia climbed to 119 million pounds, a year-over-year increase of 35%.
Australia’s reported exports to the United States show continued growth through July, signaling higher imports in the next couple months once those shipments reach the United States. Imports from Brazil continued to fall in July to 69 million pounds, about 7% higher than last year (compared to the increases of 89 to 416% over the last 4 months). The additional tariff on beef imports from Brazil that took effect on August 6 is expected to continue making those imports less competitive in the US market.
Beef imports from Mexico were up 14% year over year in July. According to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service Weekly Imported Meat Passed for Entry in the US report, weekly imports from Mexico in August were about 14% higher on average than the same period last year. Due to the US ban on live cattle imports from Mexico related to New World Screwworm, Mexico has more cattle to slaughter this year. Additionally, Mexico has been importing more beef from Brazil and therefore should have more domestically produced beef available for export. Consequently, the United States could continue seeing growth in beef imports from Mexico.
Based on higher expected imports from Australia and other beef exporters offsetting lower imports from Brazil, the forecasts for the third and fourth quarters of 2025 are raised 70 and 20 million pounds, respectively. The annual 2025 forecast is 5.364 billion pounds, about 16 percent higher than 2024. The annual 2026 forecast is unchanged from last month at 4.950 billion pounds.
