What Trump Tariffs Mean for Food and Agriculture Trade

US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.

Tariffs for Canada and China are in effect as of February 4, while the tariffs on Mexico have been delayed for one month following negotiations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who agreed to send 10,000 members of her country’s national guard to the border to address drug trafficking... 

Brazil’s Pork, Chicken and Egg Exports Increase in February

Brazilian exports of eggs, pork, and chicken meat recorded significant growth in February, according to data from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).

Egg Exports Rise 57.5%

Brazilian egg exports, including fresh and processed products, totaled 2,527 metric tons in February, a 57.5% increase compared to 1,604 metric tons in the same period last year. Export revenue rose 63.2%, reaching $4.94 million from $3.02 million.

For the first two months of the year, exports reached 4,884 metric tons, marking a 38.2% increase from the 3,535...

Impact of Pork and Beef Exports on Corn and Soybean Industries a Bright Spot for Producers

In the wake of a challenging year for U.S. corn and soybean producers, an updated study shows how exports of pork and beef provide support to their bottom lines. In 2024, U.S. pork and beef exports of $19.1 billion – an increase of $1 billion over 2023 and down just 2% from the 2022 record – had a significant impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s Jan 2025 Beef Exports Up 6.3% Y-o-Y on Solid US Demand

New Zealand’s January 2025 beef exports dropped 20.3% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 40,002 metric tons (mt), as shown in the latest Stats NZ data. 

Falling by 10,161 mt, volumes were curtailed primarily due to the shorter working month as the country observed the Christmas and New Year festivities. Outbound shipments declined across all key markets. Annually, exports grew 6.3% (+2,369 mt), fueled by healthy demand from the US and Canada. However, shipme

ANALYSIS: Record US Pork Exports Fuel 2024 Growth

The latest USDA data released on February 6th shows US pork exports reaching a five-year monthly high in volume, which has exceeded volumes compared to the previous five years.

December 2024 exports totaled 292,935.3 metric tons (MT), a slight increase of 0.4% over November and 0.3% year-over-year. This capped off a year exceeding the previous five-year average by 6.5% and marking the highest annual export volume in five years. 

Export volumes surpassed 2023 levels in mid-June and...

2024 Exports Reveal Record-Breaking Year

Each day, I work with strategic partners and my team at the National Pork Board (NPB) to serve America’s 60,000 producers by adding value to every part of the pig, domestically and internationally. Today, I’m fired up to celebrate the record-breaking 2024 year-end pork export data released last week, indicating a volume of 3.03 million metric tons (+4% YoY) valued at $8.63 billion (+6%YoY).

2024 Year-End Data

Let’s look at some key highlights sourced directly from U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF):

• Pork exports to Mexico totaled 1.15...

NCC Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Confirmation as Next Secretary of Agriculture

The U.S. Senate today voted to confirm Brooke Rollins to be President Trump’s Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by a margin of 72-28.

Rollins, an attorney who graduated from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in agricultural development, served as White House domestic policy chief during President Trump’s first term. She is the former president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute and previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank... 

U.S. Pork Exports Record-Large in 2024; Beef Export Value Trends Higher

Exports of U.S. pork eclipsed previous highs in both volume and value in 2024, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef export value climbed 5% from 2023 despite a slight decrease in volume as unit export values were record high. Lamb exports trended higher than a year ago in both volume and value.

December pork exports totaled 267,132 metric tons (mt), slightly below last year’s large volume, while value increased...

ANALYSIS: Australia’s January Beef Exports Ease into 2025 at 81,050 mt

Australia’s beef exports in January 2025 fell 36.4% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 81,050 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF).

The 46,343 mt decline aligned with historical trends, as shipments contracted from December 2024’s strong 127,393 mt.

Asian importers’ preference for receiving products before the Lunar New Year led to higher shipments in December rather than January, particularly for Korea and China, which began receiving in-quota products on January 1. Australia’s seasonal shutdown and...

ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Beef Exports Kick Off 2025 with 17.4% Monthly Growth, Up 3.9% Y-o-Y

Uruguay’s beef exports surged in January 2025, reaching 31,750 MT, marking a 17.4% increase M-o-M from December 2024’s 27,038 MT and a 3.9% rise Y-o-Y from January 2024’s 30,544 MT. While the overall trend shows resilience, the composition of shipments reveals shifting market dynamics, particularly concerning China’s slowing demand and the US’s growing share.

Shipments to China, the largest buyer, totaled 12,742 MT, capturing 40.1% of Uruguay’s total exports, which represents a 12.1% M-o-M increase. However...

US Meat Trade Faces Uncertainty Ahead of Tariff Implementation

On Thursday, President Trump reaffirmed his plan to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, set to take effect on February 1, 2025. He is also considering an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

The announcement has heightened uncertainty across many industries, including the livestock and meat sectors. The tariffs threaten to significantly disrupt live cattle shipments from Mexico and Canada, both key suppliers...

Compounding these challenges, a ban on feeder cattle imports from Mexico remains in effect following...

ANALYSIS: U.S. Chicken Exports Experience Strong MoM Increase in November

Total exports were up month-over-month (MoM) by 5.7%, a contra-seasonal move compared to the 5-year average decrease of 3.1%. Interestingly, several of the top five destinations showed a MoM

decrease in the amount of U.S. chicken imported. However, Taiwan brought in much larger volumes than average, and the MoM decreases in production shipped to Vietnam and the Philippines were not as dramatic as the 5-year average. Additionally, several of the less prominent destinations brought in more production in November than October, influencing... 

USMEF Explores Market Potential in Morocco During USDA Trade Mission

Risk mitigation and an underdeveloped supply-chain are among the market development challenges in this vital distribution hub for western Africa.

USMEF was among the 50 ag companies and organizations that recently visited Morocco during a trade mission hosted by USDA. Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley led the delegation, which participated in business-to-business meetings, met with Moroccan government officials, studied transportation logistics and visited retail and foodservice outlets in Casablanca. USMEF Africa Representatives Matt Copeland and Monty Brown, and USMEF Director of Trade Analysis Jessica Spreitzer... 

ANALYSIS: Brazilian Beef Exports Slide 15.6% M-o-M in November 2024

Brazilian beef exports slowed down notably in November after hitting record highs in previous months this year. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, last month’s exports of fresh (frozen and chilled) beef totaled 228,129 MT, down by 15.6% compared to October’s 270,331 MT, and 21.4% higher than the equivalent month last year. Year-to-Date, Brazilian shipments reached 2.3 million MT, which already surpasses the total volume exported in all of 2023 by 16.9%, heading towards a new annual record high...

ANALYSIS: Peak Season Lifts New Zealand’s Nov 2024 Beef Exports 39.4% M-o-M to 38,576 mt

New Zealand’s November 2024 beef exports rebounded a whopping 39.4% month-on-month (m-o-m) to 38,576 metric tonnes (mt), according to the latest Stats NZ data.

Increasing by 10,907 mt from October 2024’s five-month decline, the key driver was increased production as New Zealand exits from its off season. In line with seasonal output trends, the higher tonnage saw high volumes shipped to all key destinations such as the United States (US), China, Japan and Korea...

Impact of the EU-Mercosur Agreement on EU Beef Market

After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, reached a landmark free-trade and cooperation agreement on December 6, 2024. In 2023, EU agri-food exports to Mercosur totalled €3.2 billion, and the new EU-Mercosur Free-Trade Agreement aims to substantially increase these exports by removing high tariffs on key EU export products. The following article examines the potential impact of the deal on the beef market...

ANALYSIS: Impact of the USDA Suspension on Mexico-US Cattle Trade

Mexico, as a key beef exporter to the United States (US) market, faces a commercial landscape influenced by multiple factors, including fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rate, domestic market conditions, and international sanitary regulations.

During the first half of 2024, the strengthening of the peso against the dollar reduced the competitiveness of Mexican exports, as domestic market prices surpassed those available in the US market. However, in the second half of the year, the strengthening of the dollar boosted exports by offering better returns for producers...

Brazil’s Chicken Meat Export Quantities and Revenues Increase in November

Chicken meat exports from Brazil, including both fresh and processed products, totaled 465,100 tonnes in November, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). This represents a year-on-year increase of 23.2%. Export revenues also increased, reaching USD 893.4 million, up 32.1% compared to November 2023.

From January to November 2024, cumulative chicken meat exports rose by 3.7%, with a total of 4.845 million tonnes exported. Revenue for the same period reached USD 9.071 billion, marking a 1% improvement over the same timeframe in...

China Lifts Final Market Bans for Two Australian Beef Plants 

As of December 3rd, 2024, two Australian beef plants (Plant 1620 Australia Country Choice Production Pty Ltd and Plant 243 John Dee Warwick Pty Ltd) were approved for export to China, according to the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.

The plants were banned from China’s market from 2021 and 2020 amid strained relationships between the two trading partners. 

“This is great news for Australian exporters, producers, and farmers... it’s a win for trade and a win for Australian jobs – something my Government will always back,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.  

USDA Launches Agribusiness Trade Mission to Morocco

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley arrived in Casablanca today to begin a USDA-sponsored agribusiness trade mission. Whitley is leading a delegation of nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture to expand U.S. farm and food exports to Morocco and other West African markets.

"I am honored to lead this delegation to Casablanca as we work to strengthen vital connections, grow U.S. agricultural exports, and showcase the broad array of products American agriculture has to...

Brazil Opens New Markets in China and Increases Number of Authorised Meatpacking Plants

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Brazil on 20 November agreements were signed on the opening of five new markets and certifying of 38 new meatpacking plants.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) finalized four phytosanitary protocols in collaboration with China's General Administration of Customs (GACC). These agreements enable exports of fresh grapes, sesame, sorghum, and fish-derived products such as fish meal and oil for animal feed to China. Earlier in June, China approved Brazilian pecans for import...