Japan remains top market for US beef exports - USMEF
Korea leads in value as Taiwan demand strengthens
12 March 2026
1 minute read
By: With a steady December performance, Japan maintained its position as the leading volume market for US beef exports,
December shipments totalled 18,646 mt valued at $135.5 million, both steady with a year ago. This included more than 5,000 mt of beef variety meat (mostly tongues and skirts), up 47% from a year ago, while the value of these shipments climbed 49% to $45.3 million.
Combined beef and beef variety meat exports to Japan reached 237,975 mt in 2025, down 2% year-over-year, while value fell 6% to $1.76 billion.
Exports to Korea, the leading value market for US beef, were modestly lower in December but finished 2025 steady with a year ago at 232,175 mt.
Export value was slightly higher at $2.23 billion – the third highest on record and the fifth consecutive year that shipments to Korea have exceeded $2 billion in value.
In 2026, US beef reached zero-duty status under the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. Before this FTA entered into force in 2012, US beef entering Korea was tariffed at 40%.
December beef exports to Taiwan totalled 6,569 mt, up 7% from a year ago. Although down 2% year-over-year, export value was the highest of 2025 at $75.3 million. Exports to Taiwan rallied late in the year but still finished 2025 down 6% year-over-year in both volume (58,714 mt) and value ($667.6 million).
The reciprocal trade agreement with Taiwan will eliminate tariffs on US beef, as well as outdated non-tariff barriers related to BSE.
