Meat Institute Comments Regarding Foreign Trade Barriers to U.S. Exports for 2026 Reporting
Meat Institute Comments Regarding Foreign Trade Barriers to U.S. Exports for 2026 Reporting
The domestic U.S. meat and poultry industry’s long-term economic viability, though, depends on robust international trade, particularly as domestic per capita consumption of meat and poultry remains stable, and 95% of consumers live outside the United States. International trade is, therefore, vital to the long-term strength of the U.S. meat and poultry industry, the American workers it supports, and the rural and farm communities it sustains. In 2024, U.S. meat and poultry exports exceeded $24.6 billion. Annually, approximately 14% of U.S. beef production, 15% of U.S. poultry production, and 25% of U.S. pork production are exported. According to a 2022 report published by the Economic Research Service, U.S. agricultural exports support 86,127 jobs in the beef industry, 52,999 jobs in the pork industry, and 45,855 jobs in the poultry industry.
