Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 13, Brazil set a new record in beef exports in September 2025, shipping 352,000 tonnes, a 31% increase compared with 268,000 tonnes in September 2024. This marks the highest monthly total since records began in 1997, according to ABIEC, the trade association representing 47 meat-processing companies responsible for 98% of Brazil’s beef exports.

September was the first full month affected by the US tariff increase of 50% on Brazilian beef, which caused exports to the United States to fall sharply to 9,900 tonnes, down from 25,319 tonnes in September 2024. In contrast, China remained Brazil’s main market, receiving 190,500 tonnes, accounting for over half of total exports.

Exports to the European Union also increased, with Brazil shipping 15,400 tonnes of beef in September, up from 11,947 tonnes in the same month in 2024. This growth mirrors the overall expansion of Brazilian beef exports and highlights the EU as the second largest market for Brazilian beef, particularly for high-value steak cuts. The trend is expected to attract attention as the Mercosur trade deal continues its ratification process, potentially reducing tariffs and boosting trade.

Brazil’s beef export performance has been strong throughout 2025. In the first nine months, Brazil shipped 2.44 million tonnes, approaching the 2.9 million tonnes exported in 2024, and already surpassing total annual exports in almost all previous years. Exports to China have reached 1.15 million tonnes year-to-date, while shipments to the US totaled 218,900 tonnes, 64.6% higher than in the same period last year despite the September slump. Exports to the EU have more than doubled to 105,895 tonnes, reflecting a striking rise in demand for Brazilian beef.

Commenting on the figures, ABIEC noted that Brazil remains a key player in the international beef market, with volumes far exceeding those of other top exporters. Since surpassing 1 million tonnes in 2004, Brazil’s beef exports doubled to over 2 million tonnes by 2020, and with almost 2.5 million tonnes exported by September 2025, 3 million tonnes is likely to be reached by year-end, barring a major decline.

Brazil’s position as the largest global beef exporter continues to strengthen, with its volumes more than double the combined totals of Australia and Uruguay, the second and third largest exporters. Despite this growth, Brazil is less dependent on the EU market than two decades ago, when 403,000 tonnes were exported to the EU, representing one-third of total exports. If the Mercosur-EU trade deal is approved, Brazil and other Mercosur countries could benefit from reduced tariffs under the new 90,000-tonne quota and zero tariffs on the existing Hilton quota, potentially making the EU an even more attractive market.

Overall, Brazil’s beef exports are expanding across multiple markets, led by China, the EU, and the US, reinforcing its dominant position in the global beef trade while supporting long-term export growth.