U.S. beef imports and evolving global markets

For the first nine months of 2026, U.S. beef imports are up 17.5 percent. Australia remains the largest source of beef imports, with 22.8 percent of the year-to-date total, followed by Brazil (20.7 percent); Canada (15.3 percent); Mexico (12.3 percent); New Zealand (10.4 percent); and Uruguay (6.9 percent). Smaller sources include Argentina (4.4 percent); Nicaragua (3.6 percent); and Paraguay (3.5 percent).Total beef imports have increased sharply since 2023. For the January – September period, total beef imports have increased 74.6 percent from 2023 to 2026. There have also been significant regional shifts in the source of U.S. beef imports. 47.9 percent of 2023 beef imports originated in North and Central America (Canada and Mexico plus Nicaragua), declining to a 31.2 percent share in 2026. Total beef imports from the region are up, however, by 13.6 percent over the period.U.S.

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