Duvall Comments on Meeting with President

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on his meeting with President Trump and the executive orders signed today [September 4, 2026], which address several issues impacting America’s ranchers.

“I had the important opportunity today to speak with President Trump after the Oval Office event to let him know that the plan to increase beef imports is hurting farm families. I shared with him that we have witnessed significant price drops for cattle across the country. It has caused a setback to rebuilding the U.S. herd. We’ll continue to urge the administration...

ANALYSIS: Imported Lean Beef at a Discount: AU/NZ and Brazil 90% CL vs US Domestic—A 26-Year Spread

This analysis benchmarks the landed cost of imported 90% lean boneless beef — AU/NZ Cow EC (Expana series 3555) and Brazil EC (19388) — against US domestic 90% fresh trim (1067) across 26 years of monthly Expana EBP price data, from January 2000 through June 2026. The spread between imported and domestic 90% is one of the most closely watched metrics in the US grinding complex, directly influencing blending decisions, forward contract strategy, and import demand...

ANALYSIS: Japan’s Q1 2026 Beef Imports Surge 13% YOY, Australia Reclaims Lead

Japan’s beef imports maintained robust upward momentum through the first quarter of 2026, defying a punishing macroeconomic environment.

Year-to-date (YTD) volumes through March reached 104,987 metric tons (MT), representing a solid 13.0% increase (+12,072 MT) compared to the same period in 2025, according to the latest data from Trade Statistics of Japan.

This recovery is meaningful following a dismal 2025, where Japan’s total beef imports fell to 496,166 MT, the lowest in a decade...

China Imposes Additional 55% Tariffs on Imported Beef

China today (December 31) imposed additional 55% tariffs on beef imports from countries ⁠including Brazil, Australia and the US when shipments exceed certain quotas, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).

The tariffs will apply to imported beef, effective January 1, 2026, according to the ministry.

The measures take effect ahead of the investigation’s revised January 26 deadline, marking a sharp shift in the pace of the case, with many of the most affected suppliers caught during the year-end Christmas and New Year closures.

A Chinese importer told Expana today

ANALYSIS: Japan’s Aug 2025 Beef Imports Pull Back 7.9% MOM as Household Spending Sags

Japan’s beef imports in August 2025 fell 7.9% month-on-month (MoM) at 43,221 metric tons (mt), according to the latest data from Japan’s Trade Statistics.

Inbound shipments dropped 3,720 mt from the prior month, with weaker volumes noted across all key suppliers such as from Australia, the United States (US), Canada and New Zealand.