US beef exports to Korea surpass US$2B

USA – US beef shipments to South Korea for the first eleven months of 2025 reached 211,665 metric tons, valued at US$2.02 billion, maintaining a slight lead over the same period in 2024 and marking the fifth consecutive year that exports to the country exceeded US$2 billion.

Despite the strong year-to-date performance, November exports to Korea fell 20% to 17,258 metric tons, with total value declining 15% to US$176.2 million.

Shipments to Japan in November remained close to last year’s levels at 18,108 metric tons, although the total value dipped 5% to US$138.5 million, while muscle cuts and variety meats combined posted a slight overall decline for the year through November.

Variety meat exports to Japan, dominated by tongues and skirts, increased sharply in November, rising 81% in volume to 5,495 metric tons and 59% in value to US$47.6 million, providing a rare gain in an otherwise flat market.

For the January-November period, total beef exports to Japan, including muscle cuts and variety meats, were down 2% in volume at 219,329 metric tons and 6% lower in value at US$1.62 billion compared with the previous year.

In Southeast Asia, November exports to the ASEAN region increased 23% in volume to 4,718 metric tons and 26% in value to US$33.4 million, with growth largely driven by a recovery in Indonesia following previous restrictions on U.S. beef imports.

Through November, exports to ASEAN markets remained below 2024 levels, totaling 32,574 metric tons and US$249.5 million, as ongoing import restrictions in Indonesia continue to limit the overall potential for U.S. beef shipments.

The longer-term prospects for growth in Indonesia depend on trade policy changes, as the government has indicated plans to improve access for U.S. beef, but many regulations are expected to stay in place until a reciprocal trade agreement is finalized.

U.S. beef exports to China have also struggled, with shipments falling to their lowest July level in five years after the suspension of several processing plants, which sharply reduced supply to a major Asian buyer.

In contrast, U.S. pork exports in November showed stability, with total volume of 238,922 metric tons just 1% below last year and total value falling 4% to US$680.9 million due to weaker prices for variety meats.

Through the first seven months of 2025, pork exports totaled 1.69 million metric tons, valued at US$4.8 billion, trailing the record pace set in 2024 by 4%, while Mexico remained the largest market despite a drop in July shipments.

Exports to Central and South America showed gains, while major Asian buyers received volumes similar to the previous year, with variety meat sales rising across several regions, according to USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom.

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