US cattle slaughter drops as imports pressure prices before World Cup

US non-fed cattle slaughter has declined in 2026, with limited supply supporting prices amid rising imports, cold storage, and demand pressures ahead of the World Cup. So far in 2026, 2.186 million heads of bulls and cows, the main source of lean trims, have been slaughtered up to May 30, down 5.8% from the same period of 2025 and 17.4% from the same period of 2024, according to the latestUS non-fed cattle slaughter has declined in 2026, with limited supply supporting prices amid rising imports, cold storage, and demand pressures ahead of the World Cup. So far in 2026, 2.186 million heads of bulls and cows, the main source of lean trims, have been slaughtered up to May 30, down 5.8% from the same period of 2025 and 17.4% from the same period of 2024, according to the latestRead More