US Beef Imports by Country 2026: Where Does The US Get Most Of Its Meat?

Key Takeaways

• Australia, Canada and Mexico led US beef imports by country from January to July 2026, supplying US$3.76 billion, US$2.47 billion and US$1.77 billion of HS 02 meat imports respectively, according to yTrade US HS 02 import data.
• Canada shipped the largest quantity at 406.8 million units, or 23.62% of import volume, edging past Australia's 21.91%, which points to lower-value cuts and trimmings from Canadian plants.
• Monthly US import value increased year on year in every month of 2026, peaking at US$2.11 billion in March, up 32.99% against March 2025.

yTrade logs every US beef shipment at the bill-of-lading level, which is why the country, HS-code and importer figures here trace real cargo rather than survey estimates. See the records inside the yTrade platform**.

Where Does The US Get Most Of Its Meat? 2026 US Beef Imports by Country

US beef imports by country from January to July 2026 were topped by Australia at US$3.76 billion (28.39%), Canada at US$2.47 billion (18.67%) and Mexico at US$1.77 billion (13.38%), from yTrade US HS 02 import data in the first 7 months of 2026. The top five sources of beef imports to US ports supplied more than 82% of import value over the period, including:

• Australia: US$3.76 billion (28.39% share) — the leading source, shipping lean frozen trimmings that US grinders blend into ground beef
• Canada: US$2.47 billion (18.67% share) — the largest source by quantity at 23.62%, reflecting integrated North American cattle and beef flows
• Mexico: US$1.77 billion (13.38% share) — a close third, supplying both live-cattle-linked and processed beef through Gulf and border routes
• New Zealand: US$1.61 billion (12.15% share) — a steady supplier of grass-fed lean beef for processing
• Brazil: US$1.35 billion (10.20% share) — the fifth-largest source, with the highest quantity share outside North America at 13.01%

#	Country	Value (US$)	% of Value	Quantity (kg)	% of Quantity
1	Australia	3,755,392,861	28.39%	377,433,805	21.91%
2	Canada	2,470,274,981	18.67%	406,805,728	23.62%
3	Mexico	1,770,456,742	13.38%	211,175,320	12.26%
4	New Zealand	1,607,148,246	12.15%	175,281,652	10.18%
5	Brazil	1,349,114,855	10.20%	224,032,314	13.01%
6	Uruguay	560,590,701	4.24%	74,688,923	4.34%
7	Argentina	528,374,970	3.99%	62,111,988	3.61%
8	Nicaragua	335,396,157	2.54%	52,736,602	3.06%
9	Paraguay	193,986,394	1.47%	31,980,903	1.86%
10	Italy	126,535,749	0.96%	7,921,531	0.46%

Source: yTrade Global Trade Data Platform - HS 02 - January–July 2026.

Top #1 US Beef Import Source: Australia — US$3.8 Billion

Australia supplies the United States mainly with lean grass-fed trimmings, the 90 to 95% lean product that US grinders blend with fattier domestic trim to make retail ground beef. This grade role is why Australia sits at the top of US beef imports even though the US produces the world's most beef by volume.

How much beef does the U.S. Import?

The volume has expanded through 2026 because the cattle herd fell to 86.2 million head on 1 January 2026, the smallest since 1951, according to Local Meat. Australian shipments grew 12% to 334 million pounds in the first quarter, as buyers replaced missing domestic lean beef.

• US cattle inventory hit a 75-year low of 86.2 million head in 2026: which lifted import demand for Australian lean trimmings.
• Australian Q1 shipments grew 12% to 334 million pounds: as tight US supply pulled in more grass-fed lean products.
• Imported beef is overwhelmingly lean trim: Australia, Brazil and New Zealand ship 90 to 95% lean trimmings for blending into US ground beef.

Top #2 US Beef Import Source: Canada — US$2.5 Billion

Canada is the largest source of US beef imports by quantity, reflecting a deeply integrated North American cattle and beef system where product crosses the border in both directions. Beef imports overall rose 9.9% year on year in 2026, with Brazil and Australia the largest sources followed by Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Uruguay, reported by Farm Progress.

The tight domestic herd is the structural driver behind Canadian and all import growth. U.S. beef imports rose as domestic production fell 4.5% to 5% for the full year on constrained cattle supply, according to Farm Progress, which keeps beef imports to US processors central to meeting demand.

• US beef imports rose 9.9% year on year in 2026: with North American suppliers Canada and Mexico among the largest sources.
• US beef production is down 4.5% to 5% for 2026: on constrained cattle numbers, which sustains reliance on imports.
• Cow slaughter is projected down 29.2% from its 2022 peak: cutting domestic lean processing beef and lifting import deman.

Top #3 US Beef Import Source: Mexico — US$1.8 Billion

Mexico ranks third among US beef imports by country, supplying processed and cattle-linked beef through the Gulf and border routes into US plants. Mexican volume posted the largest gain among major suppliers in early 2026, up 23% to 197 million pounds in the first quarter, according to Southern Ag Today.

Beef imports stayed elevated because how much beef is imported to the US reached a record share of domestic supply. Beef imports climbed to about 17% of total US beef supply in 2026, the highest share on record, according to Local Meat, as the multi-decade low in cattle inventory kept processors sourcing abroad.

• Mexican Q1 shipments jumped 23% to 197 million pounds: the largest gain among major suppliers.
• Imports reached about 17% of US beef supply in 2026: an all-time high, driven by the tight domestic herd.
• Non-top-five suppliers grew about 30% year on year: including Argentina and Paraguay, as US buyers widened sourcing.

Top #4 US Beef Import Source: New Zealand — US$1.6 Billion

New Zealand ranks fourth in us beef imports by country, supplying grass-fed lean trimmings that US grinders blend into ground beef. The United States took 38.8% of New Zealand beef and veal exports through July 2026, with shipments up more than 14% year on year.

On the other hand, the country's average beef export unit value reached NZ$12.42 per kg FOB in December 2025, a record driven by low US cow supply and elevated lean-beef prices, so New Zealand earns more per tonne even as volumes stay capped by its grass-fed herd.

• The US took 38.8% of New Zealand beef exports through July 2026: its single largest market, with shipments up more than 14%.
• New Zealand export unit values hit a record NZ$12.42 per kg in December 2025: on low US cow supply and strong lean-beef demand.
• Grass-fed trim complements US grinding demand: New Zealand ships mostly 90% lean boneless trimmings for the North American ground-beef market.

Top #5 US Beef Import Source: Brazil — US$1.3 Billion

Brazil ranks fifth by value but second by quantity at 13.01%, since it ships high-volume lean frozen blocks for US processing. Brazil was the single largest US beef source by volume in the first half of 2026 at 717 million pounds, or 22% of imports, though it was the only top-five supplier to post a decline.

Tariffs explain that drop even as value stayed high. Brazilian beef faced US tariffs reaching as high as 76% in 2026, which limited one of the largest sources of imported lean trimmings, before an August 2026 tariff holiday suspended the penalty on up to 300,000 tonnes of lean trimmings.

• Brazil led US beef imports by volume at 717 million pounds in H1 2026: 22% of the total, yet the only top-five supplier to decline.
• Brazilian beef faced US tariffs as high as 76% in 2026: which curbed one of the largest lean-trim sources.
• An August 2026 tariff holiday covered up to 300,000 tonnes of lean trimmings: easing the penalty on Brazilian frozen blocks.

Trace any US beef supplier and its shipment history with yTrade's trade activity intelligence *across 5B+ verified records. Monitor sourcing now.*

Which Beef Products Lead US Import Trade in 2026?

Frozen bovine cuts under HS 0202 led US beef import trade at US$5.52 billion, or 41.69% of value, from January to July 2026, from yTrade import data. Fresh or chilled bovine cuts under HS 0201 followed closely at US$4.67 billion (35.28%), while sheep and goat meat under HS 0204 added US$1.15 billion.

Below are the most imported beef types in the US (01 2026 - 07 2026):

• HS 0202, frozen bovine cuts: US$5.52 billion (41.69% share) — frozen beef and lean trimmings for ground beef manufacturing
• HS 0201, fresh or chilled bovine cuts: US$4.67 billion (35.28% share) — higher-value fresh beef, largely from North American suppliers
• HS 0204, sheep and goat meat: US$1.15 billion (8.72% share) — lamb and mutton, mainly from Australia and New Zealand
• HS 0203, swine meat: US$921.89 million (6.97% share) — pork cuts within the wider HS 02 meat chapter
• HS 0206, edible offal: US$480.19 million (3.63% share) — organs and trimmings for processing channels

#	HS Code	Product	Value (US$)	%
1	202	Meat of bovine animals, frozen	5,515,273,814	41.69%
2	201	Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled	4,666,933,231	35.28%
3	204	Meat of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen	1,154,090,663	8.72%
4	203	Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen	921,894,964	6.97%
5	206	Edible offal of bovine, swine, sheep and goats	480,185,853	3.63%

Source: yTrade Global Trade Data Platform - HS 02 - January–July 2026.

Who Are the Top US Beef Buyers?

The leading importers of record of US beef in the first 7 months of 2026 are led by Minerva Meats USA, Teys USA and Fayman and Sorbello Food Group, verified buyers on yTrade platform.

• Minerva Meats USA is the US arm of Minerva S/A, Brazil's largest publicly traded beef exporter, which uses its American entity to import lean beef and offal directly into US processing channels.
• Teys USA is a joint venture between Cargill and Australia's Teys Brothers, giving it direct access to Australian grass-fed and grain-fed supply for the US market.
• Fayman and Sorbello Food Group is a Florida-based importer and distributor specialising in frozen beef and offal for foodservice and ethnic retail.

#	Importer	Country	Shipments
1	Minerva Meats USA Inc	United States	🔒 Unlock yTrade Data
2	Teys USA, Inc	United States	🔒 Unlock yTrade Data
3	Fayman & Sorbello Food Group Llc	United States	🔒 Unlock yTrade Data
4	Wild Bull Services, Inc	United States	🔒 Unlock yTrade Data
5	Fulton Market Group	United States	🔒 Unlock yTrade Data

Source: yTrade Global Trade Data Platform - HS 02 - January–July 2026.

These buyers reflect the two structural flows that define US beef imports by country. Processor-linked firms such as Minerva Meats and Teys USA import to feed integrated supply chains, securing volume from their parent companies' origin countries at predictable costs. Independent importers such as Fayman and Sorbello source across multiple origins to serve price-sensitive foodservice and retail channels, which makes them more responsive to tariff shifts and spot-market pricing.

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Conclusion

US beef imports by country in 2026 were headed by Australia at US$3.76 billion, Canada at US$2.47 billion and Mexico at US$1.77 billion, with frozen and fresh bovine cuts making up 77% of value.

How much beef does the U.S. import? Q1 2026 volume up more than 15% year on year to 1.7 billion pounds, according to Southern Ag Today, a rise that reflects a cattle herd at a 75-year low, which keeps US processors sourcing lean trim abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the US going to import beef in 2026?

Yes, and how much beef is imported to the US keeps rising in 2026. yTrade data shows US beef imports by country at US$13.23 billion under HS 02 from January to July, topped by Australia, Canada and Mexico. USDA forecasts full-year imports at a record near 6.1 billion pounds.

How much of US beef comes from China?

China is not a source of U.S. beef imports. yTrade's HS 02 data shows US beef arriving from Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Brazil, which supply more than 82% of import value. China ranks as a major beef importer itself rather than a supplier to the US market, so it does not appear among US sources.

Which country is number 1 in US beef imports?

Australia is the number one source of US beef imports by country in 2026, supplying US$3.76 billion, or 28.39%, under HS 02 from January to July, according to yTrade data. Canada ranks second by value but first by quantity, since Canadian plants ship larger volumes of lower-value cuts and trimmings.

Where does the US get most of its meat?

The US sources most of its imported beef from Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Brazil, which together supply more than 82% of HS 02 import value in 2026, according to yTrade data. Imported product is mostly lean trimmings that processors blend with domestic beef for ground beef manufacturing.