US beef exports to Japan dip as muscle cut volumes decline
Variety meat gains fail to offset broader first-quarter slowdown
3 June 2026
1 minute read
By: US beef exports to Japan slipped 4% in volume to 57,396 metric tons in the first quarter of 2026, with value down 3% to $436.8 million, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Higher variety meat shipments were offset by a decline in muscle cut volumes.
Japan remains the leading volume destination for US beef exports and ranks second only to South Korea in export value.
