Trump plans executive orders to expand beef imports as US cattle herd hits 75-year low

USA – US President Donald Trump was expected to sign two executive orders in May aimed at increasing beef imports into the United States and encouraging ranchers to rebuild cattle inventories as retail beef prices continue rising across the country.

According to a White House official, the orders are intended to address tightening beef supplies linked to a decline in the national cattle herd.

However, specific details about the measures were not immediately released.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that the administration planned to temporarily suspend tariff-rate quotas on beef imports, allowing larger volumes of beef to enter the US market at lower tariff rates.

The newspaper also reported that the administration would direct the Small Business Administration to expand access to lending for ranchers while easing Endangered Species Act protections for grey wolves and Mexican wolves that ranchers say prey on livestock.

In addition, expectations that more beef could arrive from Brazil affected US cattle futures markets after Trump met Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva last week, with June live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange recovering from earlier declines to close slightly higher, while August feeder cattle contracts fell by 0.5%.

Although prices for groceries such as eggs and milk have eased since Trump returned to office in January 2025, beef prices have continued climbing ahead of the summer grilling season, remaining one of the more persistent food inflation concerns for American households.

Last October, Trump ordered a fourfold increase in beef imports from Argentina, and the following month removed a 40% tariff on Brazilian beef and coffee imports to ease supply pressures in the domestic market.

However, those earlier policy changes have not significantly lowered retail prices, with Labour Department Consumer Price Index data showing beef prices rose 12.1% year over year in April and remained more than 16% higher than levels recorded when Trump resumed office in January 2025.

Herd decline drives supply concerns

The US cattle herd has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years after prolonged drought reduced grazing capacity and increased feed costs, while elevated cattle prices encouraged ranchers to send more animals to slaughter rather than retain them for breeding.

The US Department of Agriculture estimates that the country will import a record 5.8 billion pounds of beef this year, representing an increase of around 6% from 2025 levels and 25% above 2024 volumes.

David Anderson, an agricultural economist at Texas A&M University, said most imports consist of lean beef trimmings used in ground beef production, adding that while additional imports may help restaurants manage ingredient costs, consumers are unlikely to see major price reductions.

At the same time, Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of cattle producers’ group R-CALF USA, said increased imports could discourage domestic herd expansion and place financial pressure on smaller cattle producers if market prices weaken further.

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