The Growing Role of Imported Beef
Beef on the global market is shaping what producers and consumers see across the Southeast.
In the latest Oklahoma State University Cow-Calf Corner newsletter, Extension livestock marketing specialist Derrell S. Peel highlights a sharp rise in beef imports as U.S. production tightens and prices climb. Imports jumped 18 percent in 2025 and are up more than 60 percent since 2022. Much of that beef is lean trim, essential for making ground beef. Peel explains that without imported lean beef, it would be impossible to maintain current ground beef supplies, especially as it balances fattier domestic trimmings.
Ground beef remains a staple across the Southeast, accounting for nearly half of total beef consumption per person in the United States. Countries like Australia, Brazil, and New Zealand play key roles in supplying those imports, particularly trim used in processing.
In today’s market, beef is no longer just a domestic story. It’s a global one, with a lot of nuance in how supply comes together.
