NASHVILLE, TN — President Trump says expanding U.S. beef imports from Argentina could help bring grocery prices down. Still, USDA data show America’s beef inflow already depends heavily on lean trimmings from other countries. The latest USDA Agricultural Marketing Service report shows that during the week ending Oct. 18, the U.S. cleared 26,903 metric tons of fresh beef for entry — bringing the year-to-date total to about 1.3 million metric tons (MT), up 12% from the same period in 2024.
Most of that beef comes from key lean suppliers used to balance U.S. ground-beef blends: Australia leads with 464,737 MT (+20%), followed by Brazil at 264,014 MT (+39%), New Zealand at 194,472 MT (-1%), and Uruguay at 98,169 MT (+28%). Canada remains the top overall exporter at 577,802 MT, though its shipments have dipped 10% year over year. Argentina, while in the spotlight, remains a minor player, with 30,261 MT shipped so far in 2025 — about 2% of total U.S. imports.
Industry analysts note that imported lean trim is essential for making hamburger and ground beef — products that require blending with fattier U.S. beef to reach desired ratios. Without steady imports, processors say domestic trim alone cannot meet the nation’s year-round demand.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Imported lean beef continues to play a critical role in U.S. hamburger and ground-beef production, with any added volume from Argentina serving as a supplement — not a market overhaul.
