BRAZIL

Brazil sets record for beef exports in 2025

Beef

With a 20.9% increase in volume and a 40.1% increase in revenue, exports reach the highest level in the history of Brazilian beef.

Posted on Jan 09 ,00:25

With successive records month after month, 2025 goes down in history as the highest ever recorded year for Brazilian beef exports. A total of 3.50 million tons were exported, an increase of 20.9% compared to 2024. The exported volume generated US$18.03 billion, approximately 40.1% more than the previous year. The data comes from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), compiled by the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec).

Fresh beef accounted for the largest share of shipments, with 3.09 million tons, a 21.4% increase year-on-year, and revenue of US$16.61 billion. Adding all categories together - fresh, processed, offal, tripe, fat, and salted - Brazilian shipments reached more than 170 countries, expanding the sector's international presence and diversifying destinations.

China was the main destination for Brazilian beef in 2025, accounting for 48% of the total volume exported, with 1.68 million tons, totaling US$ 8.90 billion. Next were the United States, with 271,800 tons and US$ 1.64 billion. Following them were Chile (136,300 tons; US$ 754.5 million), the European Union (128,900 tons; US$ 1.06 billion), Russia (126,400 tons; US$ 537.1 million), and Mexico (118,000 tons; US$ 645.4 million).

Compared to 2024, there was growth in volume in most major destinations. Exports to China increased by 22.8% year-to-date, while the United States registered an increase of 18.3%. The European Union showed growth of 132.8%, and Chile, of 29.8%. Increases to Algeria (+292.6%), Egypt (+222.5%) and the United Arab Emirates (+176.1%) were also noteworthy.

According to the president of ABIEC, Roberto Perosa, the 2025 performance demonstrates the resilience and maturity of the sector. “The 2025 performance was extraordinary. After a very positive 2024, we managed to expand volume, value, and international presence. Even with temporary impacts, such as the US tariff increase, the industry responded quickly, showed resilience, and emerged even stronger”.

The 2025 results reflect the joint efforts of ABIEC, its member companies, and the public sector, highlighting the partnership with ApexBrasil through the Brazilian Beef Sector Project, and the ongoing dialogue and support from the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), and Foreign Affairs (MRE), as well as institutional interaction with the Parliamentary Agricultural Front (FPA).

For 2026, the Association's assessment is one of optimism with realism, expecting stability at a high level after two consecutive years of strong growth and a favorable environment for advancement in strategic markets. “We enter 2026 with active negotiations and a concrete prospect of advancing in markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Turkey, which have high potential and are being worked on technically and continuously, in partnership between the private sector and the government. The vision is for more qualified growth, with predictability, competitiveness, and greater added value, always attentive to geopolitical issues”, concludes Perosa.

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