Latest News From Trade

America’s largest foreign beef customer is shifting to other suppliers as new free trade agreements have created vast blocs excluding the U.S., offering lower tariffs on agricultural and industrial goods.

February beef exports declined 6% year-over-year to 94,885 mt while value was down 3% to $581.6 million.

Cattle markets finding strong fundamental reasons to remain positive despite the threat of disruption from trade negotiations.

Cattle markets finding strong fundamental reasons to remain positive despite the threat of disruption from trade negotiations.

Rabo AgriFinance says the live cattle and feeder cattle markets are out of balance right now; a sign that lower feeder cattle prices could be on the horizon.

Rabo AgriFinance says the live cattle and feeder cattle markets are out of balance right now; a sign that lower feeder cattle prices could be on the horizon.

Much of the trade focus has been on China. However, the United States agricultural industry could be at a significant tariff disadvantage starting April 1 and it has nothing to do with China.

Last year U.S. beef exports shattered the previous value record and achieved a new high for volume, according to year-end 2018 statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

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.

Global trade is helping with beef demand and countries like China will play an important role in years to come.

Beef exports totaled 112,842 metric tons (mt) in November, up 1% from a year ago, while value climbed 6% to $709.2 million. At $7.63 billion, beef export value was up 16% and has broken the full-year record set in 2017.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) hasn’t released its November numbers past October due to the government shutdown. If they’re anything like October’s numbers, then they could be record-shattering.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) hasn’t released its November numbers past October due to the government shutdown. If they’re anything like October’s numbers, then they could be record-shattering.

Even with all of the uncertainty around trade, meat exports for 2018 are expected to be on a record pace.

“There's no other market that can absorb the beef volume and the value of what we're selling into Japan,” said Kent Bacus, NCBA director of trade and market access. “We have level the playing field."

The duty-free quotas included in the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement offer plenty of capacity for establishing a foothold for U.S. beef in Morocco.

Beef exports remained on record pace in October, and talks with Japan are just beginning. Japan is the largest value destination for both U.S. beef and pork but the market is intensely competitive.

U.S. beef exports remained on a record-shattering value pace in October, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

After a previous prohibition, U.S. beef has gained access to Morocco which could become an $80 million market.

By year's end, U.S. beef exports to Taiwan will exceed $500 million - more than doubling the total from five years ago.

Officials in Argentina say they are close to signing an agreement with the U.S. that would allow two-way trade of fresh beef for the first time in nearly two decades.

China’s beef imports jump almost 80%, beating pork purchases. Beef imports this year are on course for a record amount

Japanese officials are considering lifting the 30-month age restriction on beef imported from the United States.

Exports accounted for 13.7 percent of total beef production in September, reports U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Exports accounted for 13.7 percent of total beef production in September, reports U.S. Meat Export Federation.

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

U.S. beef exports set new records in August with export value topping $750 million for the first time.

Industry groups react to details of a new United States-Mexico-Canada (USMC) Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Industry groups react to details of a new United States-Mexico-Canada (USMC) Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

British consumers are warned their government may alter food safety regulations after Brexit, allowing U.S. and Canadian beef treated with hormones to enter the food supply.

There is excellent opportunities to grow U.S. beef exports to the European Union, if regulations change.

Led by South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Latin America markets, July beef exports climbed 12% in volume to 116,575 mt, valued at $722 million – up 16% from a year ago and just slightly below the May 2018 record.

Red meat exports in the first half of 2018 were a cause of celebration for U.S. livestock producers—and kept prices afloat during expansion.

The impact of U.S. beef exports on calf prices continues to rise as experts advise ranchers to stay abreast of trade developments globally.

Uncertainty with trade deals, global competition and an ongoing trade war have the potential to alter U.S. beef’s standing in the export market.

Total beef consumption in China in 2018 is estimated at 8.5 million metric tons, second only to the U.S., according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Research from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture indicates that a trade agreement with Japan is crucial for the U.S. beef industry.

Policy news grabbed the headlines yesterday, as USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $12 billion relief package for farmers impacted by tariffs. Beef leaders say they look forward to reviewing the details.

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

U.S. beef exports set a new value record in May while also increasing significantly year-over-year in volume, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Much of the uncertainty surrounding the issue of trade has created a level of anxiety within several U.S. industries.

Additional cattle are continuing to come to feedyards, but fortunately there’s been several market factors at play to help offset beef supplies, at least for now, said Craig VanDyke, Top Third Ag Marketing.

Additional cattle are continuing to come to feedyards, but fortunately there’s been several market factors at play to help offset beef supplies, at least for now, said Craig VanDyke, Top Third Ag Marketing.

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

Making sure that beef is has a seat at trade negotiations tables has been a focus of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), along with labeling of “fake meat.”

March beef export value was $693.1 million, up 18 percent year-over-year

The European Union might be willing to accept more imports of U.S. beef to help ease trade tension with President Trump.

Ireland will become the first European Union country to gain access to China’s fast-growing beef market after its agriculture minister said on Monday that Beijing had approved imports from three Irish processors.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he thinks a conversation he had with China’s President Xi Jinping has had an impact on U.S. beef exports to China, where American exporters are now selling “a lot” of beef.

As the political discussions continue, it’s important to not lose sight of the basic economic principles that are the foundation for all trade.