Shipments declined in the month due to a sharp drop from China, while the accumulated result remains above 2025.
Brazilian beef exports totaled 233,500 tons in August 2026, according to a survey by the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC), based on data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC). The volume was 22.2% lower than that recorded in August 2025, while revenue reached US$1.36 billion, a decrease of 15.2%.
The month’s result was mainly impacted by the reduction in shipments to China and marked the lowest monthly volume exported by Brazil in 2026. In August, the Asian country received 18,900 tons of Brazilian beef, a decrease of 88.2% compared to the same month last year. In revenue, it totaled US$101.9 million, a decline of 88.6%.
The change in pace is directly linked to the exhaustion of the quota established by the Chinese safeguard. The industry considers that the limit has already been fully reached since the beginning of July, taking into account the volumes shipped and cargo in transit. The difference in relation to the approximately 92% indicated by the Chinese authorities occurs because the use of the quota is accounted for upon landing. As transit between Brazil and China can take about 40 to 45 days, a significant portion of the volume already exported does not yet appear in Chinese statistics.
“This movement was already expected by the sector. There was a significant anticipation of shipments to China in the first half of the year and, with the quota exhausted, the flow naturally decreased. The challenge now is to continue expanding the Brazilian presence in other markets,” says the president of ABIEC, Roberto Perosa.
Other markets gain ground in August
With the reduction in Chinese purchases, other destinations began to occupy more prominent positions in the month.
The United States led shipments in August, with 35,300 tons, a 276% increase over August 2025. The European Union received 23,400 tons, a growth of 108.6%. Russia reached 22,000 tons, an increase of 54.5%, and Chile, 17,400 tons, a rise of 44.4%.
In revenue, these markets moved, respectively, US$ 226.5 million, US$ 201.9 million, US$ 116.8 million and US$ 108.3 million.
This movement reinforces a redistribution of Brazilian shipments in the second half of the year, with greater participation from different destinations in the face of the retraction of Chinese purchases.
Accumulated figures remain positive
Between January and August, Brazil exported 2.202 million tons of beef, a 5.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Accumulated revenue reached US$12.79 billion, a 21.7% increase.
China remains the main destination in the accumulated figures, with 899,200 tons and US$5.51 billion, a volume 6.6% lower than the same period last year. Even with this decrease, the country continues to account for 40.8% of all Brazilian beef exports in 2026.
Following China are the United States, with 269,100 tons (+28.7%) and US$1.74 billion; Chile, with 107,300 tons (+32%) and US$649.7 million; and Russia, with 96,300 tons (+29.7%) and US$453.5 million. and the European Union, with 87,100 tons (+26.4%) and US$762.3 million.
Diversification advances in the accumulated figures
In addition to the main destinations, markets with a smaller historical share have been registering significant growth in 2026. Indonesia reached 55,200 tons between January and August, an increase of 259.6% compared to the same period in 2025. Vietnam reached 10,000 tons, a rise of 408.3%, while Argentina reached 19,000 tons, a growth of 140.1%.
Shipments also grew to Canada, which totaled 10,800 tons (+191.1%); Peru, with 7,000 tons (+84.2%); Jordan, with 15,100 tons (+51.6%); Saudi Arabia, with 50,000 tons (+24.9%); and Turkey, with 14,700 tons (+12.9%).
“The numbers show that Brazilian beef is expanding its presence in different markets. China remains fundamental, but growth in other destinations helps to reduce concentration and opens up new possibilities for the sector,” Perosa points out.
The data considers Brazilian exports of fresh, processed, and salted beef, as well as offal, fat, and tripe. In August, fresh beef accounted for 195,700 tons, equivalent to 84% of total exports, followed by offal, with 18,600 tons (8%); processed products, with 9,600 tons (4.1%); fat, with 6,400 tons (2.7%); tripe, with 2,500 tons (1.1%); and salted meat, with 647 tons (0.3%).
