Brazil beef exports seen as stable in 2026 as industry pivots beyond China
Beef lobby Abiec said volumes not sold to China could be redirected other markets
Brazilian beef exports will remain stable in 2026 compared with last year, beef lobby Abiec said on Monday, projecting shipments between 3.3 million and 3.5 million tonnes this year.
That compares with 3.5 million tonnes of beef exported in 2025, including fresh and processed products, when Brazil’s beef shipments had their best year on record both in volumes and revenue, according to trade data.
Roberto Perosa, Abiec president, said exports would remain broadly unchanged after top importer China imposed safeguards to protect its industry, restricting Brazil’s and other exporters’ access to that market.
Perosa said volumes not sold to China, which last year bought roughly half of Brazil’s total beef shipments, could be redirected to other markets or shipped to countries Brazilian companies are still trying to access.
He cited recently announced authorisations to export beef to Vietnam and talks to sell products in Japan, South Korea and other markets.
Talks are also under way to increase shipments in the Philippines and Indonesia, Perosa said, with Indonesia expected to clear some 18 Brazilian plants to export after officials from that country inspected local facilities.