US beef variety meat exports set third value record in four months
March shipments hit nine-year volume high as global demand climbs
20 May 2026
1 minute read
By: Global customers are increasingly seeking items that deliver excellent value, and US beef variety meat is helping meet this need, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
After setting a monthly value record in December 2025 ($122.1 million), export value topped that total in January ($126 million) and again in March ($135.6 million, up 50% year-over-year). Export volume in March was 29,062 mt, the largest in nine years. Through the first quarter, beef variety meat exports increased 14% from a year ago to 80,654 mt, while value soared 45% to $367.6 million. Growth was driven by larger shipments to Mexico, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, South Africa, Peru, Colombia and the Philippines.
For beef plus beef variety meat, March exports to leading value market Korea were steady with last year at 20,729 mt, while value increased 3% to $209.9 million. January-March shipments were down 3% in both volume (56,242 mt) and value ($553.6 million). Although the changes did not impact first-quarter exports, Korea recently began accepting processed products made with beef from cattle less than 30 months of age. An export verification program was also removed following Korea’s lifting of residency requirements for cattle of Canadian origin.
Beef exports to Taiwan remained strong in March, matching last year’s volume at 5,078 mt and increasing slightly in value to $61 million. This capped an excellent first quarter – the strongest since 2022 – in which Taiwan posted a 22% increase in volume (14,909 mt), while value increased 14% to $168.4 million.
