Standoff with China has led to record lows in US beef exports

from the previous year. From January to August, exports to China were 52% lower than last year in volume (56,494 metric tons) and 53% lower in value (US$484.2 million). The cumulative export decline from January to October is estimated at US$832 million, with exports in September and October also certain to be minimal. As previously reported by USMEF, China has not renewed the registrations of the vast majority of U.S. beef processing plants and cold storage facilities. However, extending these registrations is only one step needed to restore access for American beef to China, where 16 American plants have been suspended since June, and 30 plants will be suspended starting in 2022. For China to return to its obligations under the Phase 1 agreement between the US and China, it must remove all barriers to access for American beef. Beef exports to Korea, the leading market, were slightly below last year’s volume in August, down 1.5% to 16,823 tonnes. However, export value still ...