By Andi Anderson
Just six weeks after the announcement of new U.S. and retaliatory tariffs, signs of impact on U.S. beef exports are already visible—especially in trade with China. Tariffs have disrupted the usual export flow and caused major shifts in weekly shipment volumes.
According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data, U.S. exports of fresh and frozen beef muscle cuts to China averaged 2,420 metric tons per week in the first quarter of 2025. However, the week of May 8 saw exports plunge to just 17 metric tons—the lowest weekly total since April 2019, when zero beef was shipped.
This significant drop shows how quickly tariffs can influence market access and pricing. Interestingly, as exports to China fell, shipments to other countries like Japan and South Korea increased. While it’s too early to confirm whether these gains are the result of redirected trade or regular fluctuations, the shift is notable.
Exports to Hong Kong, which are reported separately from mainland China, also rose. Weekly exports to Hong Kong averaged 369 metric tons in the first quarter but jumped to 600 metric tons per week since early April. This suggests that some trade may be rerouting through different regional markets.
It’s important to note that U.S. beef exports to China only began gaining momentum in late 2019. Before that, exports rarely surpassed 1,000 metric tons per week. Since then, China quickly grew into the third-largest market for U.S. beef, representing about 1.7% of total U.S. beef production in 2024.
Analysts believe this is just the beginning of market changes. With ongoing negotiations and shifting tariffs, volatility in the beef trade is expected to continue. Observers will be watching closely to see how other global markets respond to these disruptions in the coming months.
Photo Credit: usda
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