In June 2026, the value of U.S. beef exports increased from a year ago despite lower volumes, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). June pork exports were below last year, largely due to a sharp decline in pork variety meat exports attributable to pseudorabies-related restrictions, which, as USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains, have since been lifted by Mexico and Colombia.
June beef exports totaled 88,586 metric tons (mt), down 6% from a year ago. However, export value was up 3% to $790.1 million, bolstered by another strong performance in Taiwan. Export value also increased year-over-year to the Dominican Republic and Central America, as well as to Japan, the ASEAN region, South Korea, Hong Kong and Africa.
For the first half of 2026, beef export volume was 9% lower than a year ago at 545,649 mt, while value fell 4% to $4.74 billion. Much of this decline was due to the continued absence from China, where beef exports were strong in the first quarter of 2025 before China allowed U.S. facility registrations to expire. Although these registrations were renewed during President Trump’s visit to China in May, exports to China remain minimal due to plant suspensions and uncertainty over China’s residue testing – trade barriers that U.S. officials are working to resolve. When China is removed from the January-June results, beef export volume declined just 1% from the first half of last year while export value increased 6%.
Pork exports totaled 224,822 mt in June, down 6% from a year ago, with value falling 9% to $624.5 million. While pork muscle cuts were modestly lower, most of the decline was due to a 21% drop in pork variety meat exports. As USMEF previously reported, Mexico and Colombia suspended imports of U.S. pork offal at the beginning of May, and this situation was not resolved until early July for Colombia and mid-July for Mexico. Fortunately, these countries have now removed pseudorabies-related restrictions on pork variety meat, though exporters still face prolonged clearance times in China due to heightened inspections.
June pork exports to Mexico were still relatively strong, though down significantly from the large totals posted a year ago. Exports increased year-over-year in June to Japan, Colombia, Central America and the Dominican Republic.
For the first half of 2026, pork exports totaled 1.51 million mt, up 4% from a year ago, while value increased 3% to $4.22 billion. Export volume to Mexico was slightly lower, but value remained steady with last year’s record pace. Exports are also on a record pace to Central America and the Dominican Republic and increased substantially to Japan.
A detailed summary of the January-June export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, including market-specific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.
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