Brazilian beef exports surge in May, revenue tops US$1.3 billion

Brazilian beef exports continued to grow strongly in May 2026, supported by higher prices in international markets and a steady pace of shipments. By the third week of the month, export revenue had reached US$1.321 billion, already surpassing the total recorded in May 2025, when sales totaled US$1.134 billion.

The performance reinforces the competitiveness of Brazilian beef in global trade and has drawn attention from the livestock sector because of the potential effects of external demand on the domestic market.

Average export price rises sharply

The main driver of revenue growth was the sharp increase in the average price paid for Brazilian beef abroad.

By the third week of May 2026, exported beef was trading at an average of US$6,492.4 per tonne. In the same period last year, the average price was US$5,202.2 per tonne.

The increase points to stronger pricing for Brazilian beef in buyer markets and improves export margins for domestic meatpackers.

Daily average revenue also showed the strength of the sector’s performance. In May, beef export revenue averaged US$88.072 million per day, up 63.1% from US$54.005 million in May 2025.

Shipments remain strong

Export volumes also remained high in 2026.

By the third week of May, Brazil had shipped 203,480 tonnes of fresh, chilled or frozen beef. The volume was already close to the total exported in all of May last year, when shipments reached 218,003 tonnes.

On a daily average basis, shipments reached 13,565 tonnes in May 2026, compared with 10,381 tonnes per day in the same period of 2025.

The figures confirm continued firm international demand for Brazilian beef, even as global markets remain affected by economic volatility and high production costs in several countries.

External demand supports Brazil’s cattle sector

Higher prices for exported beef have direct effects across Brazil’s livestock chain. With export sales becoming more profitable, meatpackers focused on international markets tend to increase demand for slaughter-ready cattle in the domestic market.

Cattle ranchers are closely watching this movement, as international demand strongly influences fed cattle prices and the purchasing strategy of meatpackers.

The increase in the value of Brazilian beef exports also reinforces the country’s position among the world’s leading suppliers, supported by production scale, competitiveness and the ability to serve major consumer markets.

Market awaits final May figures

The livestock sector is now monitoring export performance through the end of the month, as the final May data could confirm one of the strongest recent results for Brazilian beef.

Market expectations point to continued firm demand abroad throughout 2026, especially as global buyers seek steady supplies of animal protein.

With prices higher and shipments moving at a strong pace, Brazilian beef continues to stand out in international trade and generate revenue for the country’s agribusiness export chain.

Source: Portal do Agronegócio

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