TCP surpasses 2024 beef export volume and sets new record

TCP, the company that operates the Paranaguá Container Terminal, shipped 736 thousand tonnes of frozen beef between January and September 2025 — a 49% increase over the 493 thousand tonnes exported during the same period in 2024.

The volume shipped in the first nine months of this year is already 9% higher than the 675 thousand tonnes exported throughout all of 2024. “TCP’s market share in this segment jumped from 23% to 30% in one year. This result directly reflects exporters’ confidence in the terminal’s services, support, and infrastructure, which in 2025 has further consolidated its role as Brazil’s main export gateway for meat,” said Giovanni Guidolim, TCP’s commercial, logistics, and customer service manager.

In 2024, TCP completed the expansion of its yard for refrigerated container storage, increasing capacity from 3,624 to 5,268 plugs — making the Paranaguá Container Terminal home to the largest reefer yard in South America.

China remains the top destination for beef shipped through TCP, accounting for 59.2% of exports. The United States (7.5%), Russia (4.5%), Mexico (4%), and Italy (2.7%) round out the top five importers.

According to the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC), from January to September, beef exports totaled 2.44 million tonnes overall, up 16% from the same period last year. Revenue rose 35.4% to US$12.4 billion, nearly matching the total 2024 revenue of US$12.8 billion.

TCP leads poultry exports

Frozen poultry remains TCP’s main export product. Through September, total shipments reached 1.724 million tonnes — the highest among all port terminals in Brazil — representing a 44% market share of poultry exports.

“In August, we had one of the best months in TCP’s history for poultry shipments, with 228 thousand tonnes exported. The resumption of imports of Brazilian poultry by most major markets creates a positive outlook for the final quarter of the year, and we are prepared to serve producers with quality and excellence,” Guidolim said.

The top importers of poultry shipped via TCP from January to September were the United Arab Emirates (8.8%), China (8.2%), Japan (7.1%), South Africa (7%), and Mexico (6.5%).

TCP’s commercial manager for carriers and market intelligence, Carolina Brown, noted that “global demand for Brazilian poultry is very strong, and TCP offers the broadest portfolio of shipping lines among Brazilian ports. With 25 weekly calls and 21 maritime services, we provide global coverage for our clients, ensuring greater flexibility and sailing availability for exporters.”

According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), Brazil exported 3.876 million tonnes of poultry in the first nine months of 2025 — down 1% from the 3.917 million tonnes shipped in the same period of 2024 — with revenue reaching US$7.166 billion.

Reefer operations

From January to September 2025, TCP posted its best reefer container movement in its history, handling 1,227,810 TEUs — a 5% increase over 2024.

One of the terminal’s highest-growth segments was refrigerated cargo (reefer), which posted a 7% increase over 2024 volumes, reaching 106,275 containers. Much of this growth is tied to the continued strong performance of poultry exports and newly contracted clients in the beef segment.

Source: TCP

Sharing is caring!