Brazilian beef exports break another record

Brazilian beef exports reached another record level in the first half of 2026, supported by stronger shipments to most of the country’s key markets and a clear improvement in export values. The growth was not only volume-driven. Export revenues rose much faster than tonnage, showing that Brazil benefited from firmer average prices as well as strong international demand.In the first six months of 2026, Brazil exported 1.705 million tonnes of beef, generating $9.85 billion in export value. Compared with the same period in 2025, volume increased by 15.5%, while value rose by a much stronger 36.2%. This implies that the average export value rose from roughly $4,900 per tonne in the first half of 2025 to about $5,780 per tonne in the first half of 2026.June also confirmed the strong momentum. Brazil exported 317,300 tonnes of beef in June, up 16.6% year on year. Export value reached $1.975 billion, an increase of 38.1% compared with June 2025. This means that June’s average export value moved above $6,200 per tonne, underlining the strength of the market.China remains the dominant destinationChina remained by far the most important destination for Brazilian beef. In the first half of 2026, China imported 794,700 dat, an increase of 24% compared with the first half of 2025. Export value rose even more strongly, by 49.4%, to $4.87 billion.This means China accounted for roughly 47% of Brazil’s total beef export volume in the first half of the year. The country therefore remains the central driver behind Brazil’s export performance. At the same time, this also creates a vulnerability. China’s import quota of 1.1 million tonnes has already been filled for around 72% in the first half of the year. If import pace slows later in the year, Brazil will need stronger demand from secondary markets to maintain current export momentum.Despite the low claimed demand by the country the average value of exports to China increased sharply. Based on the half-year figures, Brazil exported to China at an average of roughly $6,130 per tonne, up by around 20% year on year. This shows that China’s growth was not only a matter of higher volumes, but also of stronger pricing.United States remains the second-largest market Despite the stronger ties to argentina the United States was the second-largest destination for Brazilian beef in the first half of 2026. Shipments reached 205,000 tonnes, an increase of 13.0% compared with the same period last year. Export value rose by 29.8% to $1.35 billion. The average export value to the United States reached approximately $6,585 per tonne, around 15% higher than in the first half of 2025.Chile also remained an important destination. In the first half of 2026, Brazil exported 70,700 tonnes of beef to Chile, up 20.0% year on year. Export value increased by 33.2% to $420.2 million. The market is much smaller than China or the United States, but growth was broad-based. Chile combined solid volume expansion with stronger pricing. The average export value reached roughly $5,940 per tonne, around 11% higher than a year earlier.EU remains highest value market, while exports to Russia grow the most Exports to the European Union also increased strongly. In the first half of 2026, Brazil exported 51,200 tonnes of beef to the EU, up 18.2% year on year. Export value rose much faster, by 53.5%, to $452.3 million. The EU remains a relatively small destination in volume terms, but it is one of the most valuable markets for Brazilian beef. The average export value reached approximately $8,830 per tonne, far above the average values seen for China, the US, Chile or Russia.Meanwhile Russia posted one of the strongest volume increases among Brazil’s major destinations. In the first half of 2026, shipments to Russia reached 62,200 tonnes, up 53.8% compared with the same period in 2025. Export value rose by 58.9% to $284.1 million. Unlike China, the US and the EU, Russia’s increase was mainly volume-led. The average export value rose only modestly, to about $4,570 per tonne, up around 3% year on year. This suggests that Russia absorbed significantly more Brazilian beef, but without the same price improvement seen in several other markets.