At the recent Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with the President and CEO of US Meat Export Federation Dan Halstrom. Our Coverage from San Diego is powered by Farm Data Services of Stillwater.

Yesterday, we featured the first part of our conversation with Halstrom- click here to read and listen to that Beef Buzz. Today, Dan Halstrom emphasized that despite current challenges, particularly the loss of access to China, global demand for U.S. beef remains strong going into the second half of 2025. “We got to remain flexible around China,” Hallstrom noted, “but with that in mind, demand… even at a $400 choice cutout, is still moving. It is not slowing down.” He highlighted surprising strength from regions like Central America and Mexico, which traditionally weren’t viewed as high-spending markets but “continue to buy,” offering a positive outlook despite trade obstacles.

While acknowledging a slight decline in exports—“we’re down about 5% year to date on volume… about 3% down on value”—Halstrom framed it as expected. He said, “our forecast for the year… was down between five and 7%… which means that we’re going to continue to have very good demand.” He pointed out that regaining access to China could quickly reverse that trend. “If you throw China back in that mix, those numbers improve,” he said. “That, of course, is the hope and a goal.”

On the potential for renewed trade ties with China, Halstrom was clear about its massive impact: “You’re looking at 80 to $100 a head of our $400 a head is China.” The absence of Chinese demand has created ripple effects in Asia. “Part of the reason Japan, Korea and Taiwan aren’t higher is because of China,” he said, but emphasized that “more customers are better than less.” He believes that if China were to return, “the total value will go up, and that’s the ultimate goal.”

In response to China’s absence, Halstrom explained that USMEF is strategically shifting efforts to other Asian markets. “We’re doubling down now without China,” he said. “Retail is big, food service, especially in Japan.” Citing a rebound in Japanese tourism, Halstrom said, “we’re going to be at 40 million visitors this year… and so tourism, the food service, is also a focus.” He added that they began shifting product to Korea as early as April, stating, “we’re already in that mode, and have been for a while.”

Finally, Halstrom welcomed increased government support for export promotion through the recently passed big beautiful bill. “The support from the Foreign Ag Service has been phenomenal,” he said. “This is good news… to really further penetrate, especially in these less developed countries.” The funding will allow USMEF to expand staff and efforts in markets like Indonesia, Colombia, and parts of Africa. Looking ahead, he concluded, “we got to keep pushing… and let the beef demand speak for itself, which, at the moment is record-breaking.”

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Dan Halstrom: Global Beef Demand Holding Strong Despite China Trade Gap first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.