With drop in U.S. sales, exports to Mexico and China soar

Amid declining beef exports to the United States, Mexico has emerged as a new destination for Brazilian beef. Mexican purchases rose 420% from January to June this year, increasing from 3,100 to 16,100 tonnes.

Overall, Brazilian beef exports have been growing. In June, they totaled 241,000 tonnes, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC). The value of sales for the month reached US$1.3 billion.

Preliminary data from July indicate that Brazilian beef exports rose 56.5% compared to the same month last year. It was one of the products with the highest growth in the period and helped drive the overall 3% increase in Brazilian exports.

Beef was one of the few exceptions among Brazilian products exempt from the 50% additional tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 30. Producers claim the tariff makes selling to the U.S. market unfeasible. Since the measure was announced, 30,000 tonnes that were to be shipped to the U.S. have been held back, according to the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec).

Mexico and China increase purchases
Sales of Brazilian beef to Mexico jumped from US$15.5 million in January to US$89.3 million in June. China, the main destination for Brazilian beef and responsible for nearly half of total exports, also increased its purchases: 134,400 tonnes in June, equivalent to US$739.9 million — a 64% increase compared to January.

Here is a historical overview of Brazilian container exports to Mexico starting from January 2022. The chart was prepared using data from DataLiner:

Brazilian Container Exports to Mexico – Jan 2022 to May 2025 – TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

At the same time, exports to the U.S. have declined since April, when Trump announced a 10% import tariff on all countries. That month, sales to the U.S. market peaked for the year: 44,100 tonnes, or US$229 million. In June, they plummeted to 13,400 tonnes and US$75.3 million — a 67% drop.

Source: Zero Hora

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