How much beef does United States produce and export?
United States is the largest producer of beef: 12.3 million tonnes in 2024, 18% of the world's 69.6 million tonnes (FAOSTAT). It is the 3rd largest exporter by value: $4.6 billion in 2024, 13% of world exports of frozen beef (HS 0202) (CEPII BACI). Its biggest customer is South Korea, which takes 27% of its beef exports by value.
All about beef · All about United States · Beef price history
United States's beef production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12.3 million tonnes | 18% | +0.5% a year | 2024 |
FAOSTAT Crops and livestock products (QCL), 2024. World total is the sum of reporting countries.
Share of world output over time
| 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 22% | 20% | 19% | 18% |
United States's beef exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | $4.6 billion | 13% | 559,865 t | $8,302 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 0202 (Meat of bovine animals, frozen).
Where United States's beef goes
| Destination | Value | Share of United States's exports |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $1.2B | 27% |
| China | $1.2B | 25% |
| Japan | $527M | 11% |
| Other Asia, nes | $341M | 7.3% |
| Hong Kong | $319M | 6.9% |
United States as a buyer of beef
United States imported $5 billion of frozen beef (HS 0202) in 2024, 14% of world imports, ranked #2. Of its $5 billion of beef imports in 2024, 35% came from Australia and 21% from New Zealand, among 26 suppliers. Largest sources: Australia (35%), New Zealand (21%), Brazil (18%), Uruguay (10%), Nicaragua (3.9%).
How much beef United States uses
United States's domestic supply of beef was 12.7 million tonnes in 2023, 17% of the world's. Food supply was 37 kg per person a year, 4th highest of 142 countries with a million or more people. It produced 97% of what it used (self-sufficiency) and imported 15%. FAO's item is "Bovine meat". Consumption · Self-sufficiency.
The beef price United States sells into
The benchmark price, Australia/New Zealand, CIF US ports, was $6.86/kg in September 2026, down 1% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 12% a year, calmer in 35% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Beef price history.
Cite as: Commodity Origins, "United States beef: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/USA/beef/ (CC BY 4.0). Rankings count only countries reporting to the sources named; this page is shown only for top-five producers or exporters with at least 3% of the world total. Report an issue with this page.