en.Wedoany.com Reported - From January to May 2026, Brazil's live cattle exports reached 542,500 head, setting a new record for the same period in history. According to data from Scot Consultoria, driven by strong international demand and a diversified buyer structure, Brazil's live cattle export market has experienced its best first half on record, with the strong momentum expected to continue in the coming months.
This figure significantly surpasses the performance of historically strong years in the industry. For comparison, Brazil exported 347,500 live cattle from January to May 2018, and 411,700 head during the same period in 2025. Market analyst Lorenzo Cracco of Scot Consultoria noted that 99,200 head were shipped in May alone, marking the third-best May on record. While May shipments in 2018 and 2025 were higher than this year, the overall first-half performance remains the strongest.
The structure of Brazil's live cattle export market is undergoing significant changes. Turkey, which once dominated Brazil's live cattle exports almost exclusively, has seen its procurement share drop from 77.3% in 2018 to between 35% and 39% currently. Meanwhile, the importance of other markets is rising rapidly: Egypt accounts for 16% to 23% of purchases, Iraq up to 15.5%, Morocco around 14%, and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria are also growing. Scot Consultoria stated that Brazil is no longer dependent on a single market and now supplies a broad portfolio of clients, with increasing importance from North Africa and Gulf countries. This diversification reduces commercial risks for ranchers and enhances the predictability of the export market.
In terms of domestic export distribution, Pará remains the main gateway for Brazil's live cattle exports. In 2026, Pará has shipped 286,300 head, accounting for 53% to 62% of national shipments. Rio Grande do Sul holds a stable second place, while Tocantins' share has risen to 5.8%, beginning to emerge. In contrast, São Paulo's share in operations has declined significantly.
Preliminary data for June already indicates continued growth. Scot Consultoria estimates that approximately 50,000 live cattle have been shipped as of the second week of June, with final June exports potentially nearing 116,000 head. If confirmed, this would be the second-best June in the industry's history, representing an increase of about 62% compared to June 2025.
Comprehensive forecasts suggest that Brazil's live cattle exports in the first half of 2026 are expected to total approximately 658,000 head, an increase of about 36% compared to the same period in 2025. The volume of live cattle exported in six months already equals 63% of the total shipments for the entire year of 2025. Scot Consultoria concluded that 2026 is on track to set a record for live cattle exports.
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