LIVE DATAUpdated 10 Sept 2026
🐄 Global Cattle Beef IntelligenceUS Boxed Beef Benchmarks · Brazil & AU Export Prices · China Demand · FMD Risk Monitor
Global cattle beef market intelligence covering USDA AMS wholesale benchmarks, Brazil and Australia export price context, China import demand signals, and FMD biosecurity risk. USDA AMS public domain data. India's beef export is buffalo meat (carabeef) — a distinct commodity covered separately. Market observation only — no buy/sell signals.
US Choice Boxed Beef · USDA AMS
391.15
$/cwt
NaN%
USDA AMS LMR weekly · public domain · live from DB
US Select Boxed Beef · USDA AMS
366.29
$/cwt
NaN%
USDA AMS LMR weekly · public domain · live from DB
Brazil Beef FOB · Implied
~$3,579
/MT
+2.1%
Implied unit value · USDA FAS GATS 2023 · public domain
Australia Beef FOB · Implied
~$5,769
/MT
+1.4%
Implied unit value · USDA FAS GATS 2023 · public domain
Market Price — Canonical Data
PRODUCT
Cattle Beef
Specification: US Choice Boxed Beef (600–900 lb) — USDA AMS LMR
TRADE STAGE
Wholesale Cutout
Wholesale Cutout
HS CODE
HS 020230
GEOGRAPHY
USA
UNIT
$/cwt
DATE
Aug 2026
Calculation: Volume-weighted average of boxed beef cuts. Published weekly via USDA LMR report.
Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) · ams.usda.gov
Confidence: VERY HIGH · $/cwt = US dollars per hundredweight (100 lbs). US Choice and Select Boxed Beef are the global cattle beef reference benchmarks.
Cattle Beef Price History
HS 020230 · Monthly · Last 10 years
$391/cwt
+3.05%
Export Monitor
VOLUME
1.48M MT/yr
VALUE
~$10.2B/yr
YoY
+1.8%
AVG PRICE
$6891/MT
Global Export Benchmark
Cost Drivers
Corn & DDG Feed Costs
STABLECorn ~$4.50/bu YoY flat; DDGS ~$180/MT; feed = 60–65% of US feedlot cost of production
US Cattle Herd Size
TIGHT2024 US cattle inventory near 60-year lows after drought-driven liquidation; supply structurally tight
AUD / BRL vs USD
NEUTRALWeaker AUD/BRL widens the US price premium vs AU/Brazil; competitive in Asian markets
China Import Demand
WATCHConsumer spending caution; substitution into pork/poultry; GACC import data flat MoM
FMD / Biosecurity Status
STABLEUS, AU, NZ FMD-free (without vaccination); Brazil FMD-free with vaccination; no active outbreaks
Brazil Supply Expansion
GROWINGBrazil herd ~215M cattle, largest globally; expanding grass-fed capacity; gaining China + Egypt share
Market Signals
US SUPPLYTIGHT
US cattle on feed near historical lows; fed cattle placements -3% YoY; tight supply structural through 2026
Multi-year drought-driven liquidation 2020–23; herd rebuilding is a 3–5 year cycle; no quick fix
Evidence: USDA NASS Cattle on Feed Mar 2025 · USDA Jan Cattle report · public domain
Confidence: VERY HIGH
BRAZIL SUPPLYGROWING
Brazil beef exports +4% YoY; gaining China and Egypt market share; record slaughter volumes
Large grass-fed herd, recovering from 2022 drought; BRL weakness makes Brazil competitive
Evidence: MAPA Brazil · Secex export data · USDA FAS PSD Q1 2025
Confidence: HIGH
CHINA DEMANDWATCH
China beef imports flat to slightly down MoM; consumer confidence softness; pork substitution risk
Post-ASF pork herd rebuilt; domestic pork/poultry cheaper; urban consumer belt-tightening
Evidence: GACC China monthly import data · USDA FAS PSD Q1 2025 · MLA
Confidence: MEDIUM
FMD WATCHSTABLE
No active FMD outbreak in major exporting regions; WOAH WAHIS clean for US, AU, NZ, Brazil
FMD-free status is the primary market access determinant; any outbreak resets access negotiations
Evidence: WOAH WAHIS 2025 · USDA APHIS · confirmed no active Type O/A/Asia-1 in export nations
Confidence: HIGH
Global Buyer Intelligence
🇯🇵
Japan
~384K MT/yr (US only)
26%
of exports
Wagyu crossbredPremium chilledJPEPA access
Japan is the highest-value destination for US beef globally. Japanese consumers pay a premium for grain-fed, marbled beef — especially the US Choice/Prime grade that aligns with Wagyu crossbred demand. JPEPA tariffs reduced from 38.5% to 9% on US beef by 2033. Chilled loin and rib commands 30–50% premium over frozen alternatives.
Japan also imports significant volumes from Australia (grain-fed premium) and Canada. A weak JPY sharply reduces Japanese buyers' purchasing power in USD markets — the USD/JPY rate is the key indicator to watch for US-Japan beef trade.
🇰🇷
South Korea
~237K MT/yr (US only)
16%
of exports
KORUS FTAHoReCa demandSirloin + short rib
South Korea is the fastest-growing premium beef market in Asia per capita. KORUS FTA eliminated US beef tariffs (from 40%) progressively. Korean BBQ culture (galbi = short rib, bulgogi = thin slice) drives specific cut demand that US feedlots are well-placed to supply. Short plate and rib cuts into Korea are among the highest-margin US exports.
Australia and US compete intensely for Korean market share. AU has FTA access too (KAFTA). Korean buyers are sophisticated and price-responsive. High domestic beef prices trigger demand shifts between US grain-fed and AU grass-fed.
🇨🇳
China
~207K MT/yr (US only)
14%
of exports
Volume growthE-commerce premiumImport dependent
China became the world's largest beef importer by value (~2023). US beef re-entered China after the 2020 de-escalation; Brazil and Australia hold dominant shares. Chinese import demand is extremely sensitive to domestic pork price cycles — when pork is cheap, beef imports soften. E-commerce (JD.com, Alibaba Fresh) is a fast-growing channel for premium imported beef.
China is the swing factor for global beef prices. GACC monthly import data is the leading indicator. Any ASF-related pork supply shock would immediately boost beef import demand — Brazil and Australia are the primary beneficiaries given transport distance.
🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia / GCC
~60K MT/yr (US only)
~4%
of exports
Halal mandateSFDA complianceVision 2030 diversification
GCC requires SFDA-registered Halal certification for all beef imports. US beef entering Saudi Arabia requires specific USDA-FSIS approved plants with Halal programs. Australia (Halal-certified HGP-free) and Brazil dominate the GCC; US is a smaller but growing player. Premium HoReCa and hotel chains drive US beef demand.
Saudi Vision 2030 food diversification strategy is actively reducing dependence on single suppliers. Brazil is the dominant GCC beef exporter by volume. US and AU compete for the premium restaurant segment.
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