U.S. Imports of Brazilian Beef Hit Record High

The United States purchased 44,440 tonnes of fresh Brazilian beef in September, according to data released by the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex), part of Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services. The volume surpassed the previous record set in April 2025, when shipments totaled 44,130 tonnes.

Including processed and industrialized beef, the total volume rises to 48,300 tonnes.

The table below compares the volume of meat exported from Brazil to the U.S. (measured in TEUs) over the last years:

Source: DataLiner – explore our trade data

Brazilian beef exports to the U.S. market have now increased for four consecutive months. Shipments jumped further after tariffs announced by Donald Trump were lifted.

From August to September, the volume shipped rose 41.8% following the new measure.

Roberto Perosa, president of the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec), noted that “the 317,400 tonnes of fresh and processed beef shipped to the United States so far in 2026 represent an increase of 45%. It is an important market with specific demand. This movement reinforces the importance of having different destinations available for Brazilian beef.”

Brazilian Beef Exports to the United States Rise, but Cannot Offset China Decline

Stronger U.S. demand helped, but it was not enough to replace the gap left by China. Overall, Brazilian beef exports totaled 229,300 tonnes in September 2026, down 35.1% from the 353,100 tonnes shipped in the same month of 2025.

Revenue totaled $1.38 billion, compared with $1.90 billion a year earlier. In other words, export revenue fell 27.6% year over year. The slightly smaller decline in revenue compared with volume reflects the increase in the average value of beef on the international market.

The movement had already been expected and reflects the reduction in shipments to China after the country filled its 1.1 million-tonne quota under safeguard measures adopted by Beijing.

China purchased 12,900 tonnes in September, generating $75.2 million in revenue. That represents a year-over-year decline of 93.2% in volume and 92.9% in value.

Livestock market specialist Hyberville Neto of HN Agro noted that the year-over-year comparison is against record shipment levels registered in 2025.

Despite the sharp decline in sales between July and September, Neto did not rule out the possibility that Brazil could set another record for beef exports this year.

From January through September 2026, Brazilian beef exports were down only 1.5% from the same period in 2025. “A decline of just 1.5% after a historic year like 2025, and in the face of so many challenges, such as restrictions involving China and the European Union, still represents an extremely positive result.”

According to Neto, “with the prospect of sales resuming to fill the new Chinese quota and the strong pace of shipments to the United States, it is very likely that Brazil will come very close to setting a new all-time record for beef exports.”

Performance in Other Markets

In addition to the United States, other traditional and emerging destinations increased their purchases of Brazilian beef in September, according to Abiec:

• Chile: 19,400 tonnes (+87.2%) and $117.5 million (+107.7%)
• Russia: 13,100 tonnes (+20.5%) and $66.5 million (+40.2%)
• European Union: 20,000 tonnes (+29.7%) and $178.7 million (+34.7%)*
• Indonesia: 9,400 tonnes (+822%) and $33 million (+642.2%)
• Saudi Arabia: 7,700 tonnes (+35.8%) and $44.4 million (+49.9%)
• Turkey: 5,900 tonnes (+129.5%) and $34.8 million (+135.2%)
• Canada: 4,000 tonnes (+870.7%) and $22.9 million (+830.8%)

The EU figures refer to the period before shipments were interrupted beginning in September, following the entry into force of new requirements concerning the non-use of antimicrobials.

Source: CNN

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