Latest News From Imports and Exports

From the election to world trade, as well as geopolitical factors that have the potential to shape agriculture in 2024, the December Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows the possibility of several economic surprises.

With support from the USDA, the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has embarked on a mission to enhance the merchandising of U.S. red meat in Colombia.

U.S. pork exports posted another strong performance in October. Beef exports remained well below last year’s large totals but improved from September.

In a positive development for the U.S. meat industry, China recently granted approval for 18 U.S. beef establishments and 12 U.S. pork establishments to export to China, the U.S. Meat Export Federation reports.

In recognition of many years of service to the U.S. agricultural industry, the U.S. Meat Export Federation recently announced its 2023 award recipients.

While ag economists continue to be at odds when it comes to the likelihood of a recession in the U.S., some doubt the country's biggest importers will be able to avoid a recession over the next 18 months.

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO, Dan Halstrom, recently shed light on an international producer and grower tour, as well as the current state of U.S. meat exports.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union agreed to a six-year contract, effective July 1, 2022 through July 1, 2028.

Latin American meat importers recently convened at an USMEF seminar held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to gain a comprehensive understanding of the merits and distinctive qualities of U.S. beef and pork.

USDA on Thursday lowered expectations for both ag exports and imports in FY 2023. The export decline is linked to corn and wheat, while the import decline is correlated with easing prices.

Access has recently been granted for Brazilian pork and beef imports to the Dominican Republic, reports the U.S. Meat Export Federation, following an announcement by Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock.

This slump, deeper than May's 7.5% drop, represents the largest decline since February 2020.

Following remarkable export totals posted in the first half of 2022, this year has continued to fall short. However, a rebound in travel, tourism and other foodservice has continued to support beef demand abroad.

While a backlog of ships may not be grabbing headlines compared to 2020, the labor uncertainty is impacting U.S. red meat exports, says Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO.

Despite facing headwinds in late 2022 through the start of 2023, U.S. beef exports may be looking up, according to data released by USDA and a report compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Exports rose 2.1% in March from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted $256.2 billion while imports declined 0.3% to $320.4 billion, the Commerce Department said.

With the youngest demographic in the world, the U.S. Meat Export Federation sees Africa as a promising destination for U.S. red meat exports, but not without a number of supply chain challenges.

In an essential area for U.S. red meat exports, USMEF announces a leadership change in the Asia-Pacific region, as Joel Haggard transitions into a consultant role and Jihae Yang, former Korea director, steps in.

Non-tariff barriers “are real and can be more significant hurdles than tariffs,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says.

U.S. pork and beef exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 15% per bushel to the value of corn and 13% per bushel to soybeans in 2022, study results find, released by USMEF.

U.S. Meat Export Federation leaders share the importance of supporting fellow producers and other key partners and release impact numbers of red meat exports on corn and soybean values in the U.S.

U.S. pork exports finished 2022 strong and continued momentum into January, while U.S. beef exports slow in 2023, with shipments well below the large totals from a year ago, according to USDA data compiled by USMEF.

"In this current situation, the traditional approach to free trade agreements — which isn't just tariff cuts, but that they do tariff cuts on a fully comprehensive basis — isn't what we need right now,” Tai says.

A team of 15 U.S. industry leaders participated in a local food show, visited a processing facility and saw the broad range of food retail offered in Monterrey, says Gerardo Rodriquez of USMEF.

A case of Atypical BSE, or mad cow disease, was confirmed in the northern state of Para, Brazil on Wednesday. However, the real question is—when did this case actually occur? USCA and NCBA leaders share their thoughts.

After easing China’s COVID restrictions and a wave of COVID moved through its residents, Chinese consumers are quickly returning with an excess of cash in hand, the U.S. Meat Export Federation reports.

Marking 2022 as the busiest fiscal year ever, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists intercepted a total of 1.2 million lbs. of prohibited products at America’s largest seaport complex.

The price surge comes as Europe announced a ban on Russian diesel fuel and G7 countries vowed to price-cap Russian oil products.

U.S. pork and beef export markets may have unique opportunties in 2023, capitalizing on the competetive opportunity for U.S. pork exports in key markets and diversifying the portfolio of U.S. beef products.

Members of the bloc agreed on how to create a tool that will force foreign companies to pay for the cost of their carbon emissions.

While optimism for U.S. red meat exports to China builds in the long-term, bumpy months may be ahead in the short term.

A recent USDA trade mission to Kenya determined that ecommerce in the area, post-COVID, has huge growth potential and signs of demand for U.S. red meat products.

With trade opportunities and negotiations soon to begin, two key trade representative positions sit empty awaiting Senate approval for the nominations.

Congressmen who penned the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 are calling on the Federal Maritime Commission to mend the gap and provide "reasonable opportunities" for U.S. exporters to get their goods to foreign markets.

A recent policy decision, aiming to reduce the price of basic goods in Mexico, is two-fold. USMEF’s Erin Borror explains the potential impacts of the agreement.

“In the last 2,500 years, every Chinese government that has fallen, has fallen over food,” says Kuehl, Armada chief economist. “They need those import markets—be it from the U.S, Canada, Brazil or Australia."

USMEF to honor former head of the USTR and co-founder of “Where Food Comes From” for contributions to the U.S. red meat industry.

Global diesel and distillate fuel stocks have fallen to dangerous levels and the U.S. has been exporting a lot of diesel to Europe and Latin America, but now things are changing.

Recently introduced legislation would increase annual funding for two programs that aim to bolster global demand for U.S. agricultural products.

As consumers see increased prices at the store in many counties across the globe, decreasing import tariffs has helped make food more affordable and increase opportunities for exporting markets.

However, has there been any progress on other trade deals? With the markets swinging up and down during Monday's trading session, what is happening? AgDay and U.S. Farm Report reporter Betsy Jibben has the story.

Beef and lamb producers from New Zealand are planning to spend several million dollars on a campaign to promote their products in the U.S. to help strengthen their import position.

Beef and lamb producers from New Zealand are planning to spend several million dollars on a campaign to promote their products in the U.S. to help strengthen their import position.

Beef producing countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Mexico are gaining greater access into Japan thanks to lowered tariffs, giving those exporters a significant advantage over U.S. beef producers.

The latest monthly trade data has been tabulated – for August – and U.S. beef trade continued its impressive performance with monthly exports up 9 percent and year-to-date export totals up 14.2% year over year.

In separate interviews with AgriTalk representatives from two major beef industry organizations discussed major trade deals that have been negotiated recently.

Total beef exports were up 16.8 percent year over year in July contributing to a year to date increase of 15.0 percent for the first seven months of the year.

Cattle importer focuses on finding healthy, quality cattle for finishing in the United States.

Beef producers need to think globally.

The USDA's quarterly outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade has been released.