Brazilian beef exports grew 5.3% in volume in April
Brazilian beef exports maintained a positive pace in April 2026, with shipments of 288,700 tons, representing growth.
The increase was 5.3% compared to the same month last year, when the exported volume was 274,100 tons. Compared to March of this year, the increase was 6.6%, consolidating another month of consistent performance for the sector.
Export revenue in April reached US$1.719 billion, a 29.1% increase year-on-year and a 15.9% increase compared to the previous month, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), compiled by the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC).
China remained the main destination for Brazilian beef in the month, with imports of 138,900 tons and revenue of US$ 886.5 million. Compared to April 2025, the volume shipped to the Asian country grew by 28.8%. The Chinese market accounted for 48.1% of all the volume exported by Brazil during the period.
The United States remained the second main destination for Brazilian protein, with 42,400 tons shipped and revenue of US$279.9 million. Following were Chile, with 10,500 tons and US$62.1 million, and the European Union, with 8,700 tons and US$78.4 million in purchases during the month.
Raw products continued to lead the sector's export agenda, representing 87.3% of the total volume shipped by Brazil in April.
First Quarter
Between January and April 2026, Brazil exported 1.091 million tons of beef, a 14.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when the volume shipped was 951,500 tons. Revenue in the first four months reached US$6.047 billion, a 32.8% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
China also led purchases of Brazilian beef year-to-date, with 474,200 tons imported and revenue of US$2.724 billion, representing 43.5% of the total volume exported by Brazil and 45% of the sector's revenue during the period. Compared to the previous year, the volume shipped to the Chinese market increased by 28.8%.
The United States follows, with 149,800 tons shipped and US$962.5 million in revenue, equivalent to 13.7% of the total volume exported by Brazil during the period. Chile imported 49,500 tons, with revenue of US$286.6 million, a 12.2% increase in volume compared to the first four months of 2025. Russia registered imports of 40,400 tons, with revenue of US$178.8 million. The European Union totaled 34,700 tons and US$299.7 million in purchases, a 17.7% increase in volume compared to the same period last year.
Conflict in the Middle East
In April, some markets in the Middle East and surrounding conflict zones registered a decrease in imports of Brazilian beef, both compared to March and to the same period last year. The United Arab Emirates reduced its purchases from 3,147 tons in March to 606 tons in April, a drop of 80.7%. Compared to the 3,859 tons shipped in April 2025, the decline was 84.3%.
Turkey's exports fell from 1,067 tons to 438 tons (-58.9%). Compared to the 654 tons recorded in April of last year, the decrease was 33.1%. Israel also showed a sharp reduction in the monthly comparison, going from 4,548 tons to 2,692 tons in April (-40.8%). Despite this, the volume remained above the 2,498 tons shipped in April 2025. Libya's exports decreased from 2,077 tons to 875 tons (-57.9%). Compared to the 1,857 tons recorded in the same period last year, the drop was 52.9%. Egypt reduced its purchases from 7,596 tons to 6,774 tons (-10.8%), although it remained above the 4,865 tons recorded in April 2025.
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