US beef imports by country Q1 2026: How much did US import?

Key takeaways about US beef imports by country

• Australia leads US beef imports by country and tops the list of beef suppliers to the United States at US$935.40 million (19.43% share) in Q1 2026, followed by New Zealand (US$680.25M, 14.13%), Brazil (US$495.44M, 10.29%), Panama (US$303.86M, 6.31%), and Colombia (US$301.32M, 6.26%) according to TradeInt's verified US beef import data 2026 and Bill of Lading Database.
• Frozen boneless beef (HS 020230) is the dominant import category across every major origin, with combined Q1 2026 flows from the top 5 countries exceeding US$872 million, used as lean trimming for US ground beef manufacturing.
• US beef imports hit ~17.34% of the total beef supply in 2026, an all-time high, with 2026 imports forecast at 5.525 billion pounds (+3% YoY) against domestic production of 25.735 billion pounds (-1% YoY) on tight cattle inventory at multi-decade lows.

Which country does the US import most beef from? US beef import data from TradeInt global trade data

The US imports the most beef from Australia at US$935.40 million (19.43% share) in Q1 2026, followed by New Zealand at US$680.25 million (14.13%) and Brazil at US$495.44 million (10.29%) in Q1 2026, sourced from TradeInt's Official US Import Data and Bill of Lading Database under HS Chapter 02.

Top 5 beef suppliers to the United States (Q1 2026):

1. Australia - US$935.40 million (19.43%): Leading supplier of lean frozen beef, essential for US ground beef production.
2. New Zealand - US$680.25 million (14.13%): Provides premium grass-fed beef and high-quality lamb, satisfying health-conscious consumers.
3. Brazil - US$495.44 million (10.29%): Supplies high-volume lean frozen beef blocks primarily used in processed food manufacturing.
4. Panama - US$303.86 million (6.31%): Acts as an emerging Central American trade partner, bolstering regional meat import diversity.
5. Colombia - US$301.32 million (6.26%): Strengthens South American agricultural trade while supplying competitive beef and livestock products.

Top 1: Australia at US$935.40 million

Frozen boneless beef leads US imports from Australia at US$273.05 million (32.17%) under HS 020230, followed by fresh chilled boneless beef (HS 020130) at US$97.57 million and frozen pork shoulder and loin (HS 020312) at US$74.05 million. Frozen pork cured inputs (HS 020322) and frozen bone-in beef (HS 020220) complete the visible top 5, from TradeInt's Q1 2026 customs records.

Top 5 US beef imports from Australia (Q1 2026):

1. HS 020230 - Frozen boneless beef: US$273.05 million (32.17%): Key lean component for blending into the US commercial fast-food ground beef supply.
2. HS 020130 - Fresh chilled boneless beef: US$97.57 million (11.50%): Provides premium grass-fed chilled beef cuts directly to retail grocery chains.
3. HS 020312 - Frozen pork shoulder/loin: US$74.05 million (8.73%): Supplements domestic fresh pork processing for specialty loin and shoulder cuts.
4. HS 020322 - Frozen pork (cured/bacon/sausage): US$64.31 million (7.58%): Stabilizes reserves for industrial processors manufacturing bacon, sausage, and cured products.
5. HS 020220 - Frozen bone-in beef: US$38.48 million (4.53%): Supplies regional wholesale distributors and specialized foodservice operations for manufacturing beef.

Australia's dominant role expands through 2025-2026, driven by tight US domestic cattle supplies and strong demand for lean trimming beef used in ground beef manufacturing. As the leading position among top beef suppliers to the United States, Australia's structural anchor role is reinforced by record export volumes.

US imports from Australia climbed 12% in Q1 2026 to 334 million pounds. With 2026 export forecasts at 2.2 million tons per USDA-FAS, Australia remains the structural anchor of the US lean processing beef supply.

Top 2: New Zealand at US$680.25 million

New Zealand's top imports to the US are frozen boneless beef at US$182.61 million (39.17%) under HS 020230, with fresh lamb racks (HS 020422) following at US$42.35 million and frozen bone-in lamb (HS 020442) at US$41.10 million. Frozen bone-in beef (HS 020220) and fresh chilled beef (HS 020130) complete the visible top 5 in TradeInt's Q1 2026 dataset.

Top 5 US beef imports from New Zealand (Q1 2026):

1. HS 020230 - Frozen boneless beef: US$182.61 million (39.17%): Delivers highly consistent grass-fed lean trimming supplies for lean ground beef production.
2. HS 020422 - Fresh lamb racks: US$42.35 million (9.08%): Fulfills high-end restaurant and fine-dining demand for premium fresh lamb racks.
3. HS 020442 - Frozen bone-in lamb: US$41.10 million (8.82%): Secures steady volume for retail and ethnic markets requiring frozen bone-in lamb.
4. HS 020220 - Frozen bone-in beef: US$29.28 million (6.28%): Supplements raw industrial materials for specialized institutional food prep and processing lines.
5. HS 020130 - Fresh chilled beef: US$18.46 million (3.96%): Markets high-quality, pasture-raised fresh beef steaks directly to premium retail channels.

New Zealand's #2 position among top beef suppliers to the United States is anchored by its grass-fed pastoral production system that complements US lean trimming demand.

New Zealand is one of the few major exporters with rising 2026 beef production (+5.1% YoY), positioning the country as a stable lean beef and lamb origin for US importers navigating tight global supplies.

Three points worth noting about the US-New Zealand beef channel:

• Grass-fed lean concentration: HS 020230 frozen boneless beef makes up 39.17% of New Zealand's US beef exports, the single highest concentration among top suppliers, reinforcing the country's role as a specialised lean trimming origin.
• Lamb premium pricing: Combined HS 020422 (fresh lamb racks) and HS 020442 (frozen bone-in lamb) flows reach US$83.45 million, supplying US fine-dining establishments, ethnic specialty markets, and premium retail butchers.
• Production tailwind: New Zealand's +5.1% 2026 production growth contrasts with declines forecast for Brazil (-5.3%), Australia (-0.7%), and the US itself (-0.9%), creating a structural supply advantage for New Zealand exporters.

Top 3: Brazil at US$495.44 million

Frozen boneless beef dominates Brazil's US exports at US$239.31 million (51.67%) under HS 020230, verified by TradeInt's Q1 2026 customs records. Frozen bone-in beef (HS 020220) adds US$63.97 million and fresh chilled beef (HS 020130) contributes US$20.74 million, with fresh mutton/lamb cuts (HS 020421) and frozen sheep meat (HS 020442) rounding out the top 5.

Top 5 US beef imports from Brazil (Q1 2026):

1. HS 020230 - Frozen boneless beef: US$239.31 million (51.67%): Offers high-volume, highly competitive lean beef blocks for prepared meal manufacturers.
2. HS 020220 - Frozen bone-in beef: US$63.97 million (13.81%): Satisfies industrial requirements for affordable manufacturing beef grades used in processing.
3. HS 020130 - Fresh chilled beef: US$20.74 million (4.48%): Expands regional trade options for affordable fresh beef alternatives in foodservice.
4. HS 020421 - Fresh mutton/lamb cuts: US$17.58 million (3.80%): Diversifies cross-border fresh mutton supplies to meet coastal metropolitan culinary needs.
5. HS 020442 - Frozen sheep meat: US$17.24 million (3.72%): Broadens price-competitive frozen sheep meat alternatives for commercial catering services.

Brazil holds the #3 spot in US beef import flows despite a -5.3% YoY production forecast for 2026 from USDA-FAS. The country remains the world's largest beef exporter at an estimated 4.3 million tons in 2025.

In fact, Brazil-Australia imports drove a +28% YoY surge through July 2025. Brazilian beef is heavily focused on lean processing blocks, with HS 020230 alone accounting for 51.67% of Brazil's US exports for industrial meal manufacturers and food service operators.

A few notable patterns in the US-Brazil beef trade:

• Lean block dominance: Brazil's 51.67% concentration in HS 020230 frozen boneless beef is the highest single-HS concentration among top US beef supplier countries, reflecting Brazil's specialised industrial-grade lean trimming role.
• Production decline context: USDA-FAS forecasts Brazil's 2026 production 5.3%, the largest decline among major exporters, suggesting Brazil's US share may compress as exportable supplies tighten.
• Lamb diversification: Brazil's top 5 includes US$34.83 million combined in fresh mutton and frozen sheep meat (HS 020421 + 020442), reflecting Brazil's broader role in supplying Latin American-style protein products to US ethnic grocery and food service channels.

Top 4: Panama at US$303.86 million

Top imports from Panama to the US include frozen boneless beef at US$75.30 million (HS 020230, 31.38%), frozen bone-in beef at US$52.65 million (HS 020220, 21.94%), and whole pork carcasses at US$11.69 million (HS 020321, 4.87%). Niche poultry (HS 020752) and fresh whole pork (HS 020311) round out the top 5, as captured in TradeInt's verified Q1 2026 data.

Top 5 US beef imports from Panama (Q1 2026):

1. HS 020230 - Frozen boneless beef: US$75.30 million (31.38%): Leverages Central American trade agreements to diversify lean processing beef import options.
2. HS 020220 - Frozen bone-in beef: US$52.65 million (21.94%): Supports regional logistics hubs by importing supplementary frozen manufacturing beef categories.
3. HS 020321 - Whole pork carcasses: US$11.69 million (4.87%): Adds alternative source for whole pork carcasses utilized in commercial processing.
4. HS 020752 - Niche poultry: US$10.32 million (4.30%): Introduces niche poultry imports to satisfy regional consumer taste variations.
5. HS 020311 - Fresh whole pork: US$8.95 million (3.73%): Expands nearshore supply lines for fresh whole pork needed by regional butchers.

Panama's #4 position reflects its dual role as a Central American beef supplier and a regional logistics hub for Latin American protein flows into the US

From the American Farm Bureau Federation's market intel analysis, broader US import diversification across Latin America has accelerated as importers seek to spread supply risk during a period of tight global lean beef supplies, supporting Panama's continued share alongside Colombia, Argentina, and other regional sources.

Worth highlighting in the US-Panama beef trade:

• Lean-heavy mix: Combined HS 020230 (frozen boneless) and HS 020220 (frozen bone-in) flows from Panama reach US$127.95 million, or 53.32% of total, reinforcing the lean processing beef focus that drives US import growth.
• Central American logistics: Panama's geographic position and trade integration support consolidated meat shipments into US Gulf Coast ports, including Houston, New Orleans, and Tampa, complementing direct flows from larger original countries.
• Multi-protein supply: Panama's top-5 mix spans beef, pork (HS 020321 and 020311), and poultry (HS 020752), supplying diversified protein inputs into the US food manufacturing and food service channels.

Top 5: Colombia at US$301.32 million

Frozen boneless beef is the top import from Colombia to the US at US$101.95 million (HS 020230, 42.06%), per TradeInt's Q1 2026 verified records. Fresh poultry (HS 020724) follows at US$15.66 million and frozen bone-in beef (HS 020220) at US$13.79 million, with boneless mutton (HS 020443) and specialty frozen poultry (HS 020742) completing the top 5.

Top 5 US beef imports from Colombia (Q1 2026):

1. HS 020230 - Frozen boneless beef: US$101.95 million (42.06%): Secures emerging South American lean beef sources to mitigate global market volatility.
2. HS 020724 - Fresh poultry: US$15.66 million (6.46%): Complements domestic holiday or seasonal poultry shortages with fresh regional options.
3. HS 020220 - Frozen bone-in beef: US$13.79 million (5.69%): Supplements raw inputs for industrial processing and canned meat product manufacturing.
4. HS 020443 - Boneless mutton: US$10.48 million (4.33%): Expands cost-effective import options for boneless mutton destined for processed food.
5. HS 020742 - Specialty frozen poultry: US$7.79 million (3.22%): Enhances market competition in the specialty frozen poultry segment via South American trade.

Colombia's #5 position among top beef suppliers to the United States demonstrates the broader push to diversify US lean beef sourcing across South America.

The country's HS 020230 frozen boneless beef concentration at 42.06% positions Colombia as a focused lean trimming supplier into the US industrial ground beef and processed meal channels.

Patterns shaping the US-Colombia beef trade:

• Lean trimming specialization: Combined HS 020230 plus HS 020220 frozen beef from Colombia totals US$115.74 million, or 47.75% of Q1 2026 inflows, anchoring Colombia's role as a focused lean processing beef origin.
• Poultry diversification: Colombia's fresh and frozen poultry flows (HS 020724 + 020742) reach US$23.46 million combined, supporting US food service operators managing supply gaps in domestic poultry production.
• Latin American protein hub: Colombia's broader trade profile (beef, lamb, poultry) into the US reinforces the country's emerging role as a multi-protein supplier alongside Panama, Argentina, and Brazil.

How much of the US beef is imported?

Approximately 17.34% of the total US beef supply was imported in 2026, an all-time high, according to Euromeatnews, citing USDA WASDE figures. That share is roughly double the import-to-consumption ratio recorded just a few years ago.

Three forces explain the structural shift: cattle inventory at multi-decade lows, sustained consumer demand despite record retail prices, and strong industrial demand for imported lean trimmings used as ground beef blending stock.

Other ratios worth noting alongside the 17.34% figure:

• Year-over-year share growth: Up from 16.82% in 2025, with the trajectory pointing higher into 2026-2027 as domestic herd rebuilding takes years to translate into slaughter capacity.
• Per capita consumption: US per capita beef consumption forecast is at 59.6 pounds in 2026, slightly up from 59.3 pounds in 2025.
• Imports vs exports: US beef imports exceeded exports by more than 2x in 2025, a ratio not seen since 2004-2005 when mad cow disease disrupted US export markets.

Who are the largest US beef buyers in Q1/2026?

The largest US beef buyers in Q1 2026 by shipment count are SUKARNE SA DE CV at 2,118 shipments (3.99% share), SIGMA ALIMENTOS COMERCIAL SA DE CV at 1,619 shipments (3.05%), and ABASTECEDORA DE MATERIAS PRIMAS AGROINDUSTRIAL SA DE CV at 1,535 shipments (2.89%), with INDUSTRIALIZADORA DE CARNICOS STRATTEGA SA DE CV (1,302 shipments) and HELIX RE S DE RL DE CV (1,202 shipments) rounding out the top 5.

Top 5 US beef buyers by shipment count in Q1 2026:

1. SUKARNE SA DE CV - 2,118 shipments (3.99%): Major Mexican multinational meat processor distributing high-volume beef products across North America.
2. SIGMA ALIMENTOS COMERCIAL SA DE CV - 1,619 shipments (3.05%): Leading global food company specializing in processed meats, dairy, and refrigerated foods.
3. ABASTECEDORA DE MATERIAS PRIMAS AGROINDUSTRIAL SA DE CV - 1,535 shipments (2.89%): Prominent agricultural supplier managing high-volume meat raw materials and distribution.
4. INDUSTRIALIZADORA DE CARNICOS STRATTEGA SA DE CV - 1,302 shipments (2.45%): High-capacity meat processing enterprise optimizing supply chains for regional distribution.
5. HELIX RE S DE RL DE CV - 1,202 shipments (2.26%): Major food logistics and import company specializing in streamlined meat trade operations.

Which types of beef does the US import the most?

The most imported beef type in the US across the top supplier countries is frozen boneless beef (HS 020230), which dominates the import mix from every major origin country - 32.17% of Australia's exports, 39.17% of New Zealand's, 51.67% of Brazil's, 31.38% of Panama's, and 42.06% of Colombia's.

Most imported beef product categories in Q1 2026 (HS chapter 02):

• HS 020230 - Frozen boneless beef (lean trimmings): Dominates US beef imports across all major origin countries, used primarily as ground beef blending stock at industrial-scale processing plants.
• HS 020220 - Frozen bone-in beef: Supplements industrial manufacturing beef supply, with strong flows from Brazil, Panama, and Australia.
• HS 020130 - Fresh chilled boneless beef: Supplies premium retail and food service channels, led by Australia (US$97.57M) and New Zealand (US$18.46M).
• HS 020422 / 020442 - Lamb (fresh racks / frozen bone-in): Concentrated in New Zealand flows (US$42.35M + US$41.10M), serving US fine-dining and ethnic specialty markets.
• HS 020312 / 020322 - Frozen pork (shoulder/loin and cured inputs): Concentrated in Australia flows (US$74.05M + US$64.31M), supplying US cured meat and sausage manufacturers.

Conclusion

US beef imports by country in Q1 2026 reveal a clear supply pattern shaped by structural market pressure.

Australia and New Zealand together accounted for roughly 1/3 of the total import value, while Latin American suppliers, including Brazil, Panama, Colombia, and Argentina, contributed another significant share. Across nearly every major sourcing market, HS 020230 frozen boneless beef remained the dominant imported product category.

On the other hand, as processors seek lean trimmings for ground beef manufacturing, imports have shifted from a short-term supply gap solution to a core part of the US beef supply chain, now representing 17.34% of the total supply.

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