US opens 90-day tariff-free window for 300,000 tonnes of ground beef inputs
The United States will allow up to 300,000 tonnes of products used in ground beef to enter without out-of-quota tariffs for 90 days. The measure targets record beef prices as the domestic cattle herd remains near historic lows.
Temporary relief targets record prices
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will allow up to 300,000 tonnes of products intended for ground beef to be imported without out-of-quota tariffs during the next 90 days. The measure is intended to expand supply while the country rebuilds its cattle herd and seeks relief from record beef prices.
Trump said on Truth Social that a commitment had been secured for the imported beef to be sold at 25% below current market prices. However, he did not identify the supplier countries or the parties that made the pricing commitment. Axios reported that the White House did not immediately provide further details.
According to AFP, beef prices in the United States have risen sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic. The price moved from less than $4 per pound at the start of 2021 to almost $6.90 in July 2026, an increase of close to 10% over one year. Le Monde reported that the price of steak had risen by 15% over the latest year.
Low cattle numbers constrain processors
The US cattle herd remains close to historic lows after years of contraction. AFP said the herd was at its lowest level since the 1950s, with persistent drought in major producing states complicating cattle feeding. Higher energy, input and transport costs have added pressure on American producers.
Axios reported that the total US inventory of cattle and calves stood at 94.2 million on July 1, less than 1% higher than a year earlier. It was the first increase for that month since 2018, but the herd remained near an all-time low. Rebuilding supplies will therefore take longer than the 90-day tariff window.
The shortage has also affected processors. Axios said Tyson Foods recorded a $707 million operating loss in its beef division over the preceding nine months. In the quarter ended June 27, the company’s beef volumes fell 15.9% year on year, while the prices it charged retailers, restaurants and other customers rose 12.1%.
Import policy creates new sourcing opportunities
The latest measure follows other attempts to increase foreign supply. AFP reported that Washington removed Brazilian beef in late July from a group of Brazilian products subject to a 25% tariff. Earlier in 2026, Trump also signed an order increasing the amount of Argentine beef eligible to enter at zero duty.
The US Department of Agriculture also announced in late July that imports of Mexican cattle would soon resume, more than a year after they were suspended during a dispute over controls against a parasite. Mexico exported slightly more than 1 million cattle to the United States in 2024, according to estimates from the two governments.
The unspecified origin of the new 300,000-tonne allocation leaves exporters without clarity over how the opportunity will be distributed. For processors, tariff-free access could increase supplies of lean material used in ground beef. For US ranchers, additional imports introduce competition while herd rebuilding remains costly and slow. The effectiveness of the measure will depend on how quickly shipments arrive and whether the promised 25% discount reaches wholesale and retail buyers.
