Net US beef sales rise 9.7% to 16,900 mt in week ended Jan. 22

The US sold a net 16,900 metric tons of beef in the week ended Jan. 22, up 9.7% from the week prior, US Department of Agriculture data showed Jan. 29.

During the week, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Taiwan booked the largest volumes of beef.

Through the week ended Jan. 22, total commitments for US beef in marketing year 2026 (January-December) were 11.3% lower year over year at 145,900 mt, the data showed.

So far in MY 2026, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been the top buyers of US beef.

The USDA estimates beef exports from the US in MY 2026 at 2.425 billion pounds (about 1.1 million mt), down 5.6% from MY 2025, according to its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report published Jan. 12.

For 2026, the USDA estimates beef production in the US at 25.8 billion lb (about 11.7 million mt), 1% lower year over year.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed 90CL beef CIF US at $7,959/mt on Jan. 28 for a 30- to 60-day shipment period, unchanged day over day. Platts assessed 95CL beef CIF US at $8,378/mt Jan. 28 for a 30- to 60-day shipment period, unchanged day over day.