China's import quota reduces Brazilian beef shipments in August

Brazilian beef exports lost momentum in August, as China's limit for importing the product without an additional tariff drew closer. Compared with August 2025, shipped volume fell 27.1%, while export value dropped 19.7% to US$ 1.2 billion, down from US$ 1.5 billion a year earlier.

China's rule allows up to 1.106 million tonnes of beef to enter without a 55% additional tariff. On August 10, China's Ministry of Commerce informed Brazil that 90% of that limit had already been used.

According to Herlon Brandão, director of the Department of Foreign Trade Statistics and Studies at the Ministry of Development, Industry, Foreign Trade and Services, exporters tend to reduce shipments as the risk of the tariff being applied increases. The caution contributed to the decline in Brazilian sales to the Chinese market during the month.

Despite August's result, the year-to-date total remains positive. From January through August, Brazilian exports of chilled and frozen beef grew 4.7% in volume and 22.3% in value compared with the same period of 2025.

The impact of China's activity also appeared in the performance of Brazilian sales to Asia. In August, shipments to the continent declined 19.2% from the same month a year earlier, with a 10.9% drop in value. In the first eight months of 2026, however, Brazilian exports to Asia increased 3.3% in volume and 15% in value.