Brazil keeps breaking beef exports records

Brazilian beef exports reached a record level in the first nine months of the year, according to data from the Brazilian livestock industry association ABIEC. Despite the strong performance, growth remains below the organization’s forecast.Brazilian beef exports increased by 3% in the first nine months of the year to 2,1 million tons. This is a relatively modest rise compared to the 14% growth forecast by industry association ABIEC over 2025. However, this does not mean the target is out of reach. The fourth quarter is usually the strongest of the year, and exports already showed a clear rebound in September. That month, shipments rose by 31% to 352.000 tons. In previous years, growth was considerably stronger. Compared to 2023, exports were 31% higher, when the South American country exported just over 1,6 million tons.Largest export destination In the first nine months of the year, 53% of all Brazilian beef exports were shipped to China, amounting to more than 1.1 million tons. At a distant second came the United States, with total exports reaching 218.993 tons. In third place, a relative newcomer entered the ranking: Mexico imported 94.158 tons of Brazilian beef.US exports keep rising The strong growth is mainly driven by increased exports to the United States. In recent years, the U.S. has been unable to fully meet domestic demand. As a result, the country has relied more heavily on Brazilian beef. Total exports to the U.S. rose by 49% to 218.992 tons. This represents a sharp increase, but the scale of the growth becomes even clearer when viewed over a longer horizon: in the past five years, exports have risen by 438%In addition, exports to China remained at a high level despite abundant domestic production. This continued demand forms the foundation of Brazil’s strong export performance. Despite an oversupply in the Chinese market, exports to the country grew by 22,3%, marking the largest increase since 2022.Meanwhile, exports to the European Union also rose sharply. The very tight European market resulted in a 34,4% increase in shipments, with total exports reaching 105.894 tons in the first nine months of the year.