Mixed signals regarding U.S. foreign and trade policy have markets concerned. What’s the outlook for beef?

Nevil Speer

June 14, 2018

2 Min Read
U.S. beef exports on a roll

International trade has arguably been the most important issue facing agriculture in 2018. The Trump administration’s recent tariff assignment to imported steel and aluminum will result in punitive measures from other countries. And ag products are at the front of the line when it comes to reactive tariffs by our trade partners. That immediately draws attention to the importance of international demand for the beef industry.  

Exports serve as a critically important source of revenue for U.S. beef producers. To that end, last year’s export value totaled $7.12 billion–a new record surpassing the previous record of $6.98 billion established in 2014. That value spread across every fed steer / heifer is equivalent to about $325 per head–expressed across the 2017 average slaughter weight, it works out to $24 per cwt.

june-2018-exports-roll.png

In practical terms, that means that any backup of product movement – i.e. extra product on the domestic market as the result of foreign tariffs – could cut into the export premium in a sharp manner. Because of that reality, this week’s illustration highlights the importance of the industry’s key destinations.   

In order of export value in 2017, the top five international customers for U.S. beef reside in Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Hong Kong and Canada.  And in aggregate, Canada and Mexico combine for nearly $1.7 billion in export value – or roughly 24% of total export value. 

How do you foresee trade policy developing in the months ahead? Where do you see all of this ending up – and its ultimate influence on the U.S. beef industry? Amidst all this noise, should the industry commit even more checkoff dollars to help promote U.S. in international markets? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Nevil Speer serves as an industry consultant and is based in Bowling Green, KY. Contact him at [email protected].

About the Author(s)

Nevil Speer

Nevil Speer serves as an industry consultant and is based in Bowling Green, KY.

Nevil Speer has extensive experience and involvement with the livestock and food industry including various service and consultation projects spanning such issues as market competition, business and economic implications of agroterrorism, animal identification, assessment of price risk and market volatility on the producer segment, and usage of antibiotics in animal agriculture.
 
Dr. Speer writes about many aspects regarding agriculture and the food industry with regular contribution to BEEF and Feedstuffs.  He’s also written several influential industry white papers dealing with issues such as changing business dynamics in the beef complex, producer decision-making, and country-of-origin labeling.
 
He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.
 
Dr. Speer holds both a PhD in Animal Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

Contact him at [email protected].

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