05/12/2026
The numbers are staggering…
U.S. CATTLE REPORT 📦🥩 U.S. Beef Imports Projected to Top 6 Billion Pounds for First Time in History — Up 166% Since 2010 📈
Today’s USDA WASDE report projected 2026 U.S. beef imports at 6.109 billion pounds, the highest level in history and the first time beef imports have ever exceeded 6 billion pounds. The projection would mark an increase of 638 million pounds, or 11.7%, from 2025 levels and continue a trend that has seen beef imports increase every year since 2017.
Since 2010, U.S. beef imports have climbed from 2.297 billion pounds to more than 6.1 billion pounds, an increase of roughly 3.8 billion pounds, or nearly 166%. The sharp rise in imports has coincided with declining U.S. cattle inventories and historically tight domestic beef supplies.
📦🥩 U.S. Beef Imports By Year
🟢 2026 (P) — 6.109 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +11.7%
🟢 2025 — 5.471 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +18.0%
🟢 2024 — 4.635 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +24.4%
🟢 2023 — 3.726 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +9.9%
🟢 2022 — 3.391 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +1.4%
🟢 2021 — 3.344 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +0.1%
🟢 2020 — 3.340 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +9.2%
🟢 2019 — 3.058 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +2.0%
🟢 2018 — 2.998 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +0.1%
🔴 2017 — 2.994 Billion Pounds ⬇️ -0.6%
🔴 2016 — 3.012 Billion Pounds ⬇️ -10.6%
🟢 2015 — 3.369 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +14.3%
🟢 2014 — 2.948 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +31.1%
🟢 2013 — 2.249 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +1.3%
🟢 2012 — 2.220 Billion Pounds ⬆️ +7.9%
🔴 2011 — 2.057 Billion Pounds ⬇️ -10.5%
🟢 2010 — 2.297 Billion Pounds