Meat demand up, Navarro explains ‘offal’ exports to China

Beef prices are high, but U.S. consumption of beef, pork and chicken continues to rise, the American Farm Bureau Federation Market Intel service said this week.

“Beef remains the centerpiece of many cookouts, but record-high prices and historically tight cattle inventories continue to challenge both consumers and producers,” Market Intel stated. “Pork offers relative value and stability, supported by efficient production and strong export markets, even as producers navigate ongoing disease risks. Meanwhile, chicken stands out as the most accessible option, with steady production growth and modest prices helping it maintain its place as America’s most-consumed protein.”

USDA reports the average retail price for beef set a record in April at $9.64 per pound, up about 13% from the previous year, the report said. The average price of pork increased 2.3% from April 2025 to April 2026.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Consumer Price index for chicken for all urban consumers in April fell by 0.7% compared to 2025, the only meat to go down in price.

In an apparent reaction to concerns that the Trump administration’s announcement that China has agreed to increased beef imports from the United States will raise beef prices, Peter Navarro, Trump’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, told CNBC that the Chinese will import offal, defined as organ meats such as liver, heart, kidneys, tongue and tripe.