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Red meat exports crucial to corn profitability

The senior vice president of industry relations with the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) says red meat exports are crucial to the profitability of corn farmers.

John Hinners says around $420 per beef animal and $66 per hog can be attributed to exports.

“We exported 525-million bushels of corn through beef and pork just in 2024.”  He says, “You’re looking at 59 cents of every bushel of corn in the past three years on a $4.27 average can be attributed to red meat exports.”

He tells Brownfield global demand for U.S. red meat continues to grow.

“Markets such as Korea, that’s the number one market, an over $2 billion market to the US industry.”  He says, “There’s Japan, markets like China, you know, where they really go after that corn-fed beef.  The corn-fed beef garnishes a premium around the world.”

Hinners says maintaining good trade relationships with a diverse group of partners helps sustain profitability levels for both livestock producers and corn farmers.

AUDIO: John Hinners – USMEF