Herd Losses Propel US Beef Imports to Record Highs
· GıdaTarım
With herd sizes at a 75-year low, US beef imports surged 12% to approximately 1.5 million tons in the first half of 2026.
Herd Losses and Import Pressure
The inability to maintain the primary herd in the livestock sector poses significant risks to food security and production costs. Industry analyst Ergin Kahveci notes that errors in herd management can lead to severe consequences, even for major economies. According to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA ERS), the US, experiencing its lowest herd size in 75 years, saw a 12% increase in cumulative beef imports in the first half of 2026. The country's total import volume reached approximately 3.3 billion pounds, or 1.495 million metric tons, during this period.
Notable Increase in Australian Supply
To bridge the domestic supply gap, Australia accounted for the largest share of the US's external purchases. The USDA ERS report indicates that beef imports from Australia climbed from 599.7 million pounds to 699.5 million pounds. This supply increase, rising from approximately 272,000 tons to 317,000 tons in tonnage, represents a net increase of 100 million pounds, or 45,000 tons. This situation clearly demonstrates how rapidly food markets become dependent on external sources when breeding stock and herd numbers are lost.