Brazil surpassed 1.7 million tons shipped between January and June, reaching almost US$10 billion in exports.
Brazilian beef exports totaled 1.705 million tons in the first half of 2026, a 15.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 1.476 million tons were shipped. Revenue reached US$9.85 billion, a 36.2% increase compared to the US$7.24 billion recorded in the first half of last year. The average monthly shipments during the period were approximately 284,000 tons, consolidating the best first half of the year in the history of Brazilian beef exports, both in volume and value. The data comes from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex/MDIC), compiled by the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC).
Among the main markets in the first half of the year, China led with 794,700 tons and US$4.87 billion in purchases, a 24% increase in volume and a 49.4% increase in value compared to the same period of the previous year. The United States followed, with 205,000 tons and US$1.35 billion, a 13% increase in volume and a 29.8% increase in value. Chile imported 70,700 tons, generating US$420.2 million, a 20% increase in volume and a 33.2% increase in revenue. Russia acquired 62,200 tons, with revenue of US$284.1 million, a 53.8% increase in volume and a 58.9% increase in value. The European Union, the third largest destination in value for Brazilian beef in the first half of the year, imported 51,200 tons, generating US$452.3 million, representing growth of 18.2% in volume and 53.5% in value.
In June, Brazilian beef exports reached 317,300 tons, a volume 16.6% higher than that recorded in the same month last year, when 272,200 tons were shipped. Revenue from exports totaled US$1.975 billion, a result 38.1% higher than that recorded in June 2025.
Raw meat accounted for 279,700 tons (88.1% of the exported volume) and US$1.83 billion (92.6% of revenue). Processed meats represented 8,500 tons (2.7%) and US$74 million (3.8%), followed by offal, with 20,100 tons (6.3%) and US$46.3 million (2.3%), fats (6,200 tons and US$16 million), tripe (2,700 tons and US$9.3 million) and salted meats (131 tons and US$754,000).
China remained the main destination for Brazilian beef in June, accounting for 161,900 tons, a 19% increase compared to June 2025, and US$1.08 billion in revenue, a 39.5% increase. The United States came in second place, with 26,400 tons, an 8.3% decrease, and US$192.9 million, a 16.4% increase. Chile occupied third place, with 12,900 tons, a 67.5% increase, and US$81.7 million, a 56.8% increase. Mexico appeared in fourth position, with 11,800 tons, a 153.9% increase, and revenue of US$74 million, a 136.6% increase.
Indonesia completed the Top 5 in volume, with 10,600 tons, followed by Hong Kong (10,000 tons), Saudi Arabia (9,000 tons), the European Union (8,200 tons), Russia (8,100 tons), and the Philippines (6,500 tons). In revenue, the European Union was the fourth largest market of the month, with US$75.2 million, behind only China, the United States, and Chile.
June’s performance consolidated the best monthly result in the historical series of Brazilian beef exports, surpassing the records registered in May in both volume and revenue.
