en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brazil's beef exports set a monthly record in May 2026, with 297,000 tons shipped. Data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), compiled by the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec) and released on Wednesday (3rd), showed a 17.8% increase compared to the same month last year and nearly 3% growth from April.
China was the main driver of this export surge, purchasing over half of Brazil's total monthly exports. Despite tariff tensions, the United States remained the second-largest buyer. From January to May 2026, Brazil exported a cumulative 1.3 million tons of beef, generating nearly $8 billion in revenue.
China maintained its position as the top destination for Brazilian beef exports in May. Shipments to the Chinese market reached 157,600 tons, generating $1.06 billion in revenue, accounting for 53.1% of Brazil's total beef exports that month. Compared to May 2025, sales to China grew by 39.6%. Abiec noted that the growth in exports to China reflects advance shipments ahead of the implementation of safeguard measures announced by China on beef imports, with slaughterhouses increasing shipments as much as possible before quotas tighten, thereby boosting May's figures.
The United States imported 28,800 tons of Brazilian beef in May, generating $195.6 million in revenue, a 5.1% increase year-on-year, ranking second. This performance occurred against a backdrop of trade tensions between the two countries, but beef was not included in the potential new 25% tariff on Brazilian products starting in July. The U.S. government exempted beef from the list, considering it a strategic material for domestic supply.
In terms of price and revenue, total export revenue in May reached $1.83 billion, up 6.5% from April; the average export price of beef reached $6,163 per ton, up 3.5% from the previous month. Fresh beef (chilled or frozen beef) accounted for 88.2% of monthly export volume and 93.1% of slaughterhouse revenue.
On a cumulative basis from January to May, Brazil exported 1.3 million tons of beef, a 15.3% increase compared to approximately 1.2 million tons in the same period of 2025. Revenue during this period reached $7.88 billion. In terms of buyer distribution, China led with 631,900 tons and $3.78 billion in purchases, accounting for 45.5% of export volume and 48% of revenue, respectively. The U.S. purchased 178,600 tons, generating $1.16 billion in revenue, representing 12.9% of the total. Chile, Russia, and the European Union followed. Brazilian beef has entered over 177 markets, helping to stabilize sales.
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