The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) released a study highlighting how red meat exports provided increased value to corn and soybean producers in 2025.
According to USMEF, “Nationally, U.S. beef and pork exports accounted for $2.18 billion in market value to corn producers in 2025, $375 million to distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and $1 billion to soybean producers, according to the study. U.S. beef and pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 13.5% per bushel to the value of corn and 10.3% per bushel to soybeans in 2025.”
“Red meat exports bring significant value to corn and soybean producers by driving demand for feed. This study shows that red meat exports accounted for more than 500 million bushels of corn usage and nearly 100 million bushels of soybeans in 2025,” said USMEF Chair-Elect Dave Bruntz.
“We initiate this study every year because it quantifies the value that beef and pork exports bring to the red meat supply chain. This added value is why a diverse range of ag industry sectors work together through USMEF to build global demand for U.S. red meat,” said USMEF Senior Vice President John Hinners.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin and Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.