While the final export numbers for 2025 have not yet been tallied, demand for U.S. beef, pork, and lamb remained strong, despite headwinds ranging from tariffs and a strong dollar to tight beef supplies. That’s according to Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He notes much of that demand growth is coming from partners in key free trade agreements.
“So, if you look at what’s been working well, you really have to start with some of these countries where we have existing free trade agreements. And there’s no better example than Latin America. Mexico absolutely on fire for pork, setting records for the last three years, including this year. And while beef is down slightly, still demand, when you consider the record high prices, demand continued in Mexico as well on beef. But it’s not limited only to Mexico. Central America, another area that continues to grow and has the last three or four years. Can’t leave Asia out either. Korea, in particular, has really picked up the pace the last several months. I think there’s a lot of good things going on in these markets, which, as we segue into 2026, has a lot of opportunity going forward.”
As the USMEF looks forward to the new year, strong protein demand will remain, especially with an emerging middle class in many developing regions. Halstrom says partnerships like the new USDA America First Trade Promotion Program will allow USMEF to lay the groundwork to build demand for U.S. red meat in rapidly-growing markets like Central America and emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Africa in 2026.
“Central America, it’s been booming recently in the last four or five years, and we see further development potential on both beef and pork in that whole region. And you have some newer regions around the world, Southeast Asia in particular. Indonesia would be a very good example on the beef side, where there’s a lot of work to be done investing some of these funds to further grow our beef business long term. Malaysia, in Southeast Asia, on the pork side, another very good example. Of course, you know, you’ve got places like West Africa, Central Africa, that we’re starting to make some inroads on, on the variety meat side. But the real opportunity long term is on the muscle cut side for both beef and pork. As a global population continues to grow, the middle income, the middle class continues to grow. We are positioned in the US beef, pork and lamb industry to take advantage of that opportunity as we go forward in 2026.”