Brazilian beef exporters turn to US as China quota nears limit

Brazil’s beef export quota to China is close to being fully used – 65 % of the annual limit was already shipped by May, and the remaining volume is expected to be taken up by July. With Chinese purchases slowing, exporters are seeking alternative markets. Analysts note that the United States has become the main destination, accounting for 13.4 % of Brazil’s beef export revenue (US$ 1.2 billion) in the January‑May period, a 36 % increase year‑on‑year. The shift is prompting fridges to re‑route volumes and to use plants in neighboring South‑American countries.

Domestically, the slowdown in Chinese demand is pressuring the price of the arroba. Prices fell in several regions – from Goiânia to São Paulo – and a surplus of meat in Bahia’s frigorífico drove the local arroba down to R$ 330. Analysts expect a possible price rebound in the fourth quarter as export volumes ease and “capacity idle” rises.

Overall, the near‑exhaustion of the Chinese quota is reshaping Brazil’s beef trade, boosting US imports while tightening domestic market conditions.