United States increase purchases of Brazilian beef as China cuts shipments
Brazilian beef exports fell in September as sales to China declined, but the United States and other markets gained ground. Year to date, sector revenue increased despite a slight reduction in volume.
Exports shift direction in the third quarter
Brazilian beef exports totaled 229,300 tonnes in September 2026, down 35.1% from the same month a year earlier. Revenue also fell to US$ 1.38 billion, a 27.6% year-on-year decline.
The result mainly reflected the drop in shipments to China. Brazil sent 12,900 tonnes to the Chinese market during the month, 93.2% less than in September 2025. Revenue from these sales fell 92.9% to US$ 75.2 million.
The reduction followed the application of a Chinese safeguard measure and came after a first half with heavier shipments. Total monthly flows fell from 317,000 tonnes in June to 264,000 in July, 233,000 in August, and 229,000 in September.
United States gains ground
While China reduced its purchases, the United States increased its intake of Brazilian beef. In September, the North American market received 44,440 tonnes of fresh beef, the highest monthly volume recorded up to that point. Including processed and industrialized products, shipments reached 48,300 tonnes.
The total destined for the United States grew 389% from September 2025, reaching US$ 313.8 million, up 333.8%. From January through September, U.S. purchases reached 317,400 tonnes, a 45% increase, while revenue rose 60.8% to US$ 2.08 billion.
The volume of fresh beef sent in September also exceeded the previous record of 44,130 tonnes, recorded in April 2025. According to data released by industry organizations, the streak of higher exports to the United States continued for the fourth consecutive month.
Other destinations help offset the decline
The loss of China's share was partially cushioned by other buyers. In September, Brazil exported 19,400 tonnes to Chile and 13,100 tonnes to Russia. Purchases by those countries grew 87.2% and 20.5%, respectively, year on year.
Sales to Indonesia, Canada, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia also increased. The European Union imported 20,000 tonnes during the month, but the figures must be considered in the context of the interruption of shipments to the bloc from September onward, associated with the entry into force of new requirements on antimicrobial use.
Despite September's decline, the January-to-September total remained close to the 2025 level. Brazil shipped 2.43 million tonnes, down 0.5%, while revenue rose 14.1% to US$ 14.17 billion.
China remained the main destination during the period, with 912,000 tonnes and revenue of US$ 5.59 billion. Shipments to the country represented 37.5% of exported volume and 39.4% of sector revenue from January through September.
The evolution of trade flows led Brazilian meatpackers to organize contracts for the next cycle of the Chinese quota. The sector expects to distribute shipments throughout the year, reducing the concentration of sales in certain periods and limiting the effects of new interruptions in the main buyer market.