U.S. to boost Argentina beef imports

(FarmWeekNow) — President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will increase imports of lean beef trimmings in 2026 from Argentina to help alleviate high beef prices.

The executive order issued Feb. 6 outlines the plan to bump imports by 80,000 metric tons (mt) as beef prices have increased as a result of droughts, wildfires, and import restrictions from Mexico.

The U.S. cattle herd has fallen to a record low of 86.2 million head as of January 2026, with beef cow inventory down by 8.6% since 2020, according to a White House fact sheet.

Lean beef trimmings are primarily used in products like ground beef, sausages, or high-end meat products.

Consumer demand for beef remains strong despite higher costs

Since January 2021, ground beef prices have continued to rise, reaching an average of $6.69 per pound in December 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — the highest since the Department of Labor started tracking beef prices in the 1980s, according to the White House proclamation.

Despite the increased prices and the availability of more affordable protein alternatives, consumers’ demand for beef remains strong.

Concerns on government premise lowering beef prices

The announcement prompted concern from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“While we fundamentally disagree with the premise that increased imports can lower beef prices, NCBA is encouraged to see the Trump Administration take necessary steps to address longstanding market-access challenges for U.S. beef in Argentina,” said Kent Bacus, executive director of international trade and market access NCBA.

USDA’s Economic Research Service stated Argentina exported roughly 44,000 mt of beef to the U.S. in 2024. Through November 2025, USDA data shows Argentina shipped 51,574 mt of beef to the U.S.

Argentina’s beef and veal exports to the U.S. only equal about 2.2% of all U.S. beef imports for 2025. Through November, the U.S. imported more than 2.2 million metric tons of beef, or roughly 4.9 billion pounds.

Editor’s Note: Featured photo generated by Perplexity AI.

Tammie Sloup, FarmWeekNow

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Tammie Sloup is a general assignment editor for FarmWeek and FarmWeekNow.com. A native of Ottawa, Ill., the Eastern Illinois University alum previously worked as a regional editor for Shaw Media.

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