By Jamie Martin
U.S. pork and beef exports continue to play a crucial role in strengthening the agricultural economy. In 2024, these exports generated $19.1 billion in revenue, supporting corn and soybean farmers by increasing demand for feed grains.
According to a study released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), pork and beef exports added $2.24 billion in value to corn, $525 million to distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and $1.12 billion to soybeans.
"Domestic feed usage is critical to our industries and the continued growth in red meat exports is encouraging. A significant share of the corn and soybeans we grow locally is ultimately exported through pork and beef," said USMEF Vice Chair Dave Bruntz.
The study revealed that beef and pork exports utilized 525.1 million bushels of corn, 100.7 million bushels of soybeans, and 3.04 million tons of DDGS, providing significant revenue to farmers.
Farmers contribute to the promotion of U.S. meat exports through checkoff programs, ensuring continued market expansion. In 2024, meat exports contributed 14% to the economic impact of corn and 13.2% to soybeans, reinforcing their importance to the farm economy.
With increasing global demand for red meat, sustaining export growth is crucial for ensuring long-term stability and profitability for U.S. farmers.
Photo Credit: istock-apichsn
Categories: National