Brazil beef exports rise as Russia declares FMD‑free status, Vietnam approves new plants

On 10 June 2026 Russia officially recognized Brazil as free of foot‑and‑mouth disease without vaccination, removing technical barriers and opening its market for Brazilian beef, pork and poultry. The decision follows a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) certification and was secured during a Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture mission that included meetings in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Vietnam also expanded access, authorising two additional Brazilian slaughterhouses – Naturafrig in Pirapozinho (SP) and Sulbeef in Aparecida do Taboado (MS) – raising the total number of Brazilian plants cleared for the Vietnamese market to twelve, with an estimated annual demand of 300 000 tonnes.

Data from the Cepea research centre, based on official customs statistics, show Brazil exported 1.36 million tonnes of beef between January and May 2026, a 14.4 % increase over the same period in 2025 and the highest level recorded since the series began in 1997. The surge supports the dollar price of the arroba and helps reduce idle capacity in Brazilian meat‑packing plants. While U.S. beef shipments fell 11 % in April, China remains selective and the EU has not yet set a reopening timetable, the new market recognitions broaden Brazil's export base and improve price stability.