U.S.: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. beef market was estimated at $X in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Production in the U.S.

In value terms, beef production rose slightly to $X in 2021. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 15%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of beef (cattle meat) in the United States contracted slightly to X kg per head in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 7.2%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the average beef yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for beef production in the United States rose modestly to X heads, growing by 3% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the number of producing animals increased by 5.2%. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Beef Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat), when their volume increased by 17% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, beef exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons), Japan (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from the United States, together accounting for 64% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +298.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for beef exported from the United States were South Korea ($X), Japan ($X) and China ($X), together accounting for 62% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, China, with a CAGR of +285.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 20% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) and Mexico ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, overseas purchases of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -1.1% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 33%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +51.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Canada (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and New Zealand (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to the United States, together comprising 69% of total imports. Australia, Nicaragua, Brazil and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +152.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef suppliers to the United States were Canada ($X), Mexico ($X) and Australia ($X), together accounting for 71% of total imports. These countries were followed by New Zealand, Nicaragua, Brazil and Uruguay, which together accounted for a further 25%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Brazil, with a CAGR of +168.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.3%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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