Shipments decline in September due to lower flows to China, while the accumulated result remains close to that recorded in 2025.
Brazilian beef exports totaled 229,300 tons in September 2026, a 35.1% decrease compared to the 353,100 tons shipped in the same month of 2025. Revenue reached US$1.38 billion, 27.6% lower than the US$1.90 billion recorded a year ago.
Compared to August, the volume showed a slight decrease of 1.8%, while revenue increased by 1.1%. The data comes from the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC), based on information from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC).
The month’s performance continues to primarily reflect the sharp reduction in shipments to China due to the safeguard measures in place in that country. In September, 12,900 tons were destined for the Chinese market, generating US$75.2 million in revenue, representing decreases of 93.2% in volume and 92.9% in value compared to September 2025.
The reduction concludes a quarter of lower exports to the Chinese market, following a first half of more intense shipments.
In June, Brazilian beef exports reached 317,000 tons, generating US$1.97 billion in revenue. The volume decreased to 264,000 tons in July, with US$1.58 billion; 233,000 tons in August, with US$1.36 billion; and 229,000 tons in September, with US$1.38 billion.
At the beginning of the year, exports totaled 264,000 tons and US$1.40 billion in January; 267,000 tons and US$1.44 billion in February; 271,000 tons and US$1.48 billion in March; 288,000 tons and US$1.72 billion in April; and 297,000 tons and US$1.83 billion in May.
In a press conference held in September, the president of ABIEC, Roberto Perosa, highlighted that the behavior of the last few months is directly related to the reduction in sales to China and emphasized the capacity demonstrated by the industry in the first half of the year.
“We went through three very difficult months, July, August and September, because we were unable to sell normally to China. We reduced shipments by about 90%, while industries saw a great increase in exports in the first half of the year, which shows Brazil’s production capacity and processing industry. We have some positive signs in other markets, but they are not yet able to automatically replace Chinese demand,” said Perosa.
Markets in September
The United States received 48,300 tons of Brazilian beef in September, a 389% increase compared to the same month in 2025, with revenue of US$313.8 million, a 333.8% increase.
Chile registered 19,400 tons (+87.2%) and US$117.5 million (+107.7%), while Russia received 13,100 tons (+20.5%) and US$66.5 million (+40.2%).
The European Union recorded 20,000 tons and US$178.7 million in the month, variations of 29.7% in volume and 34.7% in value compared to the same period last year. However, these figures should be considered in light of the interruption of shipments to the bloc from September onwards, following the entry into force of new requirements related to the use of antimicrobials.
Other destinations also increased their purchases during the month.
Indonesia received 9,400 tons (+822%), with US$33 million (+642.2%); Saudi Arabia, 7,700 tons (+35.8%) and US$44.4 million (+49.9%); Turkey, 5,900 tons (+129.5%) and US$34.8 million (+135.2%); and Canada, 4,000 tons (+870.7%) and US$22.9 million (+830.8%).
Year-to-date figures
Between January and September, Brazil exported 2.43 million tons of beef, practically in line with the 2.44 million tons recorded in the same period of 2025, with a variation of -0.5%.
Revenue totaled US$14.17 billion, a growth of 14.1% compared to the US$12.42 billion of the first nine months of last year.
China remains the main destination for Brazilian beef. In the first nine months of 2026, 912,000 tons were shipped to the country, generating US$5.59 billion in revenue.
Compared to the same period in 2025, there was a 20.9% reduction in volume and a 7.8% reduction in value. The Chinese market accounted for 37.5% of the volume and 39.4% of the revenue of Brazilian exports during this period.
The United States totaled 317,400 tons (+45%) and US$2.08 billion (+60.8%). Chile registered 126,700 tons (+38.2%) and US$768 million (+54.4%), while Russia reached 109,400 tons (+28.6%) and US$531.8 million (+45.7%).
The European Union accumulated 107,100 tons and US$942.8 million, representing growth of 27% in volume and 37.9% in value compared to January to September 2025. However, this result includes the period prior to the interruption of shipments in September.
Other destinations with accumulated growth include Indonesia, with 64,700 tons (+294.8%) and US$179.7 million (+136.1%); Saudi Arabia, with 57,700 tons (+26.3%) and US$342.6 million (+56%); Argentine, with 20,800 tons (+101.5%) and US$95.1 million (+147.6%); Turkey, with 20,600 tons (+31.9%) and US$121.5 million (+57.4%); and Jordan, with 17,800 tons (+57.4%) and US$98 million (+82.8%).
As the year draws to a close, the industry is also beginning to prepare for negotiations and shipments destined for the next cycle of the Chinese quota. ABIEC is maintaining dialogue with the government regarding alternatives that would allow for a more balanced use of the quota throughout 2027.
“This year we already know about the quotas, and companies are starting to plan to sell to China in mid-October and November, depending on contracts with the ships, so that the product arrives in the next cycle. At the beginning of the year, we discussed with the government a way to spread shipments throughout the period. This conversation continues because, from a business point of view, the best thing would be to distribute these sales throughout the year,” explained Perosa.
Export Profile
Fresh beef accounted for 85.1% of the volume exported in September, with 195,200 tons and revenue of US$1.23 billion.
Offal totaled 16,300 tons and US$39.2 million; processed products, 9,000 tons and US$85.3 million; fats, 5,300 tons and US$12 million; tripe, 3,000 tons and US$10.7 million; and salted meats, 474 tons and US$3.6 million.
