Brazil to use Uruguay’s surplus of beef export quota to China, Lula says

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ​said on Monday (21) that Uruguay had authorized ‌Brazil to use the surplus from its beef export quota to China.

“I expressed my gratitude for the authorization ​granted to Brazil to use the surplus ​from Uruguay’s beef export quota to China,” ⁠Lula wrote on X after meeting with ​his Uruguayan counterpart, Yamandu Orsi, in New York.

Uruguay’s ​foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

China in January imposed an added 55% tariff on beef ​imports that exceed quota levels from key ​suppliers, including Brazil, in a move to protect its domestic ‌cattle ⁠industry.

Foreign trade data from Datamar already point to a sharp drop in frozen beef shipments to China. In July 2026, seaborne shipments totaled just 2,350 TEUs, down nearly 80% from June.

Beef Exports to China | Jan 2023 – Jul 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

From November to June, Brazil had already shipped 98.5% of its 1.1 million metric ton quota, StoneX said in a report in July, adding ​the quota ​would be ⁠filled by August.

Brazil’s total beef export volumes are expected to drop ​10% year-on-year in 2026, industry group ​Abiec ⁠estimated earlier this year, amid restrictions imposed by Beijing and a recent curb on Brazilian meat ⁠exports ​to the European Union.

Source: Reuters

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