Global Bovine Semen Import And Export: Trends- 2018 - 2025 Outlook

Report Overview

After two years of declining sales, the bovine semen industry is showing strong signs of recovery. In 2024, both dairy and beef semen segments reported notable growth, putting the sector on track to potentially surpass the record levels set in 2021. According to the President of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), if current trends continue, new sales records may soon be achieved. While unit sales haven’t yet reached the peak levels of 2021, the current growth pattern suggests that new records may be within reach.

Total unit sales increased by 4% in 2024, reaching nearly 69 million units, an increase of approximately 2.7 million units, nearly recovering the prior year’s decline. Export value also hit a new high, rising by over 6% (around $20 million), to reach $326 million.

On the international front, U.S. bovine semen exports continued to gain ground despite economic and geopolitical challenges in key markets such as China and Russia. A strong rebound in Brazil, steady growth in Western Europe and Central Asia, and expanding demand across the Middle East and Africa highlight the global momentum of the sector.

Beef semen exports led the international surge, with increased demand from Brazil and China, as well as a growing number of smaller, emerging markets. NAAB’s International Program Director credits this trend in part to the expanding adoption of the beef-on-dairy strategy, which is becoming increasingly popular across multiple regions. This trend may be attributed to the global adoption of the beef-on-dairy strategy, which is gaining traction across diverse regions.

Global Bovine Semen Import And Export: Trends- 2018 - 2025 Outlook Report Scope

Global Bovine Semen Import And Export Trends- 2018 - 2025 Outlook Analysis Overview

In 2023, global bovine semen trade reached a value of $572 million, marking a modest 0.64% increase from $569 million in 2022. Over the past five years, the market has grown at an annualized rate of 5.28%, indicating steady expansion.

Bovine semen ranked 2,706th among 4,644 globally traded products in terms of trade value, accounting for less than 0.005% of total world trade. According to the Product Complexity Index (PCI), it is considered moderately complex, ranking 1,079th out of 2,913 products, with a PCI score of 0.5.

The top exporters in 2023 were the United States ($293M), Canada ($110M), and the Netherlands ($32.2M), while the leading importers were China ($99.3M), the United States ($39.4M), and the United Kingdom ($33.8M). The product falls under the broader category of Animal Products, specifically within the HS4 heading "Other Inedible Animal Products.

Global Trade Dynamics 

Market & Research Trends

Beef-On-Dairy Crossbreeding Strategy

The beef-on-dairy crossbreeding strategy has become a transformative force in U.S. cattle genetics, with 72% of dairy farms now using beef semen to breed lower-performing cows while reserving sexed dairy semen for top-tier cows. This approach maximizes milk production from elite dairy animals and produces beef calves with improved carcass traits, making them more valuable in the beef market. Historically, male dairy calves held limited value and were often sold for veal. Today, crossbred calves offer better muscling, feed efficiency, and consistency traits highly favored by feedlots and meat packers.

Economically, beef-on-dairy crossbreeding allows dairy farms to earn premiums of $350 to $700 per calf, offsetting milk price volatility and diversifying income streams. The strategy also supports the beef industry at a critical time: with U.S. beef cow numbers at a 73-year low, crossbred calves from dairies are filling crucial supply gaps. National Association of Animal Breeders data shows a dramatic increase in domestic beef semen sales, from 1.2 million units in 2010 to 9.4 million in 2023, of which 84% were used in dairy cattle. CattleFax estimates show that crossbred calf production soared from 50,000 head in 2014 to 3.22 million in 2024.

The global implications are significant. As demand for high-quality beef genetics grows, exports of beef semen from countries like the U.S. have risen. Importing nations with strong dairy sectors but underdeveloped beef herds are increasingly turning to U.S. and European semen suppliers. This trend is reshaping the global bovine semen trade, blending dairy and beef supply chains and creating new market dynamics.

Brazilian Bovine Semen Exports Surge 19% in H1 2024, Imports Also See Strong Growth

• Brazil's bovine semen trade posted significant growth in the first half of 2024, according to data from the Brazilian Artificial Insemination Association (ASBIA). The organization’s INDEX report reveals a 19% increase in total semen exports compared to the same period in 2023, underscoring the expanding global demand for Brazilian bovine genetics.

• Exports of beef semen showed particularly robust growth, rising 28.31% year-on-year from 200,383 to 257,122 doses, reaching the highest first-half volume in the past six years. Dairy semen exports also climbed, up 8.59% from 187,719 to 203,841 doses.

• Imports followed a similar upward trend. Brazil imported 899,518 doses of beef semen in the first half of 2024, up 25.71% from 715,472 in the same period last year. Dairy semen imports rose even more sharply, increasing 35.12% from 1,633,097 to 1,766,945 doses.

• Overall semen production in Brazil also increased, with nearly 500,000 more doses produced, rising from 8.39 million in H1 2023 to 8.84 million in H1 2024.

• ASBIA executive noted, “The domestic market grew by 7.1% when considering both production and imports. This reinforces the growing importance of genetic investment in both the meat and dairy sectors. At the same time, the rise in exports highlights the increasing global recognition of Brazilian bovine genetics.”

• The data, compiled in partnership with Cepea, supports strategic decision-making and reflects Brazil's strengthening position in the global livestock genetics market.

Outlook of Bovine Semen in Brazil 

FUNDING PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE TBI RESEARCH

Several funding programs support artificial insemination (AI) initiatives in livestock, particularly focusing on cattle. These programs aim to enhance genetic improvement, reproductive efficiency, and overall productivity in the livestock industry. Below is an overview of key programs:

FUNDING PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE TBI RESEARCH

Several funding programs support artificial insemination (AI) initiatives in livestock, particularly focusing on cattle. These programs aim to enhance genetic improvement, reproductive efficiency, and overall productivity in the livestock industry. Below is an overview of key programs:

• USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Grants

  • USDA NIFA offers various grants to support research and development in animal breeding and reproductive technologies:

  • Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics Program: This program supports research on novel quantitative genetic methods, breeding strategies, and high-throughput phenotyping to improve selection criteria and control inbreeding in livestock populations.

  • Research in Assisted Reproductive Technologies: NIFA funds research projects aimed at understanding and improving cryopreservation methods for gametes and embryos across various livestock species, including cattle.

  • Specific Research Grants: For instance, Penn State University received a $650,000 grant to study the genetics underlying testis development and sperm production in bulls, aiming to enhance reproductive efficiency.

• Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)

  • TAEP provides cost-share assistance to Tennessee farmers for genetic improvements in cattle: Nation Institute of Food and Agriculture

  • Genetics Program: Offers reimbursements for purchasing bulls and AI semen that meet specific genetic criteria, such as Genomic Enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (GE-EPD). Tennessee State Government

  • Eligibility Requirements: Bulls and semen must be from breeds participating in national or international cattle evaluations and meet defined GE-EPD thresholds

• APHIS-Approved Semen Collection and Sexing Facilities

  • The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversees the approval of semen collection and sexing facilities to ensure biosecurity and quality standards:

  • Approved Facilities: Facilities must adhere to strict protocols for semen collection, processing, and storage, including compliance with EU regulations for international trade. APHIS

  • Sex-Sorted Semen: Facilities employing semen sexing technologies must have approved cleaning and disinfection protocols reviewed by the USDA to maintain certification

• State-Level AI Support Programs

  • Various states offer programs to support AI in livestock

  • Louisiana AI Program: Provides access to superior sires through AI to improve dairy and beef cattle genetics within the state.

  • These programs collectively aim to advance the use of AI in livestock, promoting genetic improvement, enhancing reproductive efficiency, and supporting the sustainability of the livestock industry.