Australian beef exports have been increasing uninterruptedly for 36 months. The last time monthly exports were lower than in the same period of the previous year was December 2022.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a new ruling in the Federal Register confirming the beef tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for the United Kingdom effective January 1, 2026.

After the distortion caused by the year-end holidays, the Paraguayan market is returning to normal this week, with industrial activity resuming at several plants.

Export cattle prices held steady compared with the previous week. Crossbred steers of British breeds, with better meat quality, are quoted between Ar$ 7,600 and 7,800 per kilo carcass weight, while zebu crossbreds range from Ar$ 7,300 to 7,600.

While official figures are still pending, data from electronic transit documents issued by the sanitary service SENASA indicate that cattle slaughter in December would have hovered around 1.1 million head, pointing to a 10% year-on-year decline.

Uruguay’s livestock market began to move more decisively this week after a very quiet start to the year.

Prices for finished male cattle were steady to lower across Brazil’s main livestock regions.

Like most of its main suppliers, Brazilian beef exports to member countries of the European Union (EU) recorded a significant increase last year. The contraction in beef production across Europe and persistently strong demand are sustaining high import flows at elevated prices.

Brazilian beef exports to the United States jumped sharply in December. This volume entered under the “other countries” quota—together, most likely, with a significant share of shipments made in the previous two months—during the first days of the current year.

Brazilian beef exports in 2025 shattered all records. For the first time ever, they surpassed 3 million tons and exceeded the 2024 record by more than 500,000 tons.

The average value of slaughter cattle in the region began 2026 on a firmer tone. The World Beef Report (WBR) Mercosur Steer Index rose 4 cents on the week to US$ 4.31 per kilo carcass weight, moving closer to the highs reached late last year.

The imported beef market in Chile remained calm and largely unchanged after the close of 2025. According to a market operator, prices are holding at similar levels to previous weeks, with Brazilian 19/20 cuts at US$/t 6,300–6,400 CIF and Paraguayan beef at US$/t 7,000–7,100.

After the holiday break, several kosher teams are resuming regular slaughter operations across the region this week.

It was another week of rising prices for Hilton rump & loin cuts.

As expected, the US “other countries” quota of just over 52,000 tons was virtually exhausted in less than a week.

In Australia —one of the countries most affected by China’s move— concern is “very strong,” especially among feedlots running long programs of 150 or 200 days.

Once uncertainty surrounding the safeguard was cleared—with export quotas for beef suppliers (see Asia)—the market “reactivated in a way few had imagined,” a regional trader told World Beef Report (WBR).

The South Korean government will implement a set of special quarantine measures this month to prevent the further spread of avian influenza (AI), according to officials.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has expressed its disappointment on behalf of Australia’s red meat industry following the announcement by China’s Ministry of Commerce to implement a global safeguard measure on beef imports, including Australian beef.

According to a press release from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), preliminary results show that as of November 3, 2025 there were 15,220 pig farms in Germany.