en.Wedoany.com Reported - U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order to allow increased beef imports. The U.S. cattle herd has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years, and beef prices continue to rise, reaching historic highs. Trump had previously taken measures to increase beef imports from Argentina and Brazil, but the effect has been limited. In April 2026, beef prices were up 12.1% compared to the same month in 2025, and 16% more expensive than when Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
According to Reuters, White House officials did not provide details on the two executive orders. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Trump will temporarily suspend beef tariff-rate quotas to allow more beef to enter the U.S. at lower tariffs. Market expectations of increased Brazilian beef imports are putting pressure on U.S. live cattle futures contracts.
The shrinking cattle herd stems from persistent drought that damaged pastures and raised feed costs, leading ranchers to significantly reduce their herds. Reuters reported: "High cattle prices also incentivize ranchers to sell animals for slaughter rather than retaining them for breeding." The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the U.S. will import 5.8 billion pounds of beef in 2026, a record high, up 6% from 2025 and up 25% from 2024. Most imports are lean beef trimmings, which are blended with fattier domestic beef. David Anderson, an agricultural economist at Texas A&M University, told Reuters that increased imports may help burger joints lower costs, but he does not expect a significant drop in consumer prices.
Since 2022, U.S. beef imports have increased by 61.4%, while U.S. beef production in 2025 fell 3.6% from the previous year and is down 8.1% since 2022. Changes among major suppliers are as follows: Australia up 251.1%, Canada up 4.3%, Brazil up 99.9%, Mexico down 4%, New Zealand up 37.2%, and Uruguay up 158.8%.
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