Trump’s threat leaves 30,000 tons of Brazilian beef in limbo and plants suspend production

About 30,000 tons of Brazilian beef destined for the United States are being held at ports or in transit due to President Trump’s threat of an additional 50% tariff imposed by the U.S. government, scheduled to take effect on August 1.

According to ABIEC president Roberto Perosa, the value of the detained beef is estimated between US$ 150 million and US$ 160 million. In response, slaughterhouses have suspended production for that market, as the total tariff would rise from the current 36.4% to 86.4%.

ABIEC has asked the Brazilian government to start negotiations with the United States to postpone the start of the tariff, aiming to fulfill already signed contracts and avoid greater harm to the export chain. “Our immediate suggestion is, if possible, to delay the implementation of this measure, as there are ongoing contracts and no time to cancel them before August 1,” said the ABIEC president.

Most of the affected beef is forequarter cuts, used for hamburger production, at a time when the United States is experiencing its smallest cattle cycle in 80 years and needs imports to meet domestic demand.

As an alternative, ABIEC is considering redirecting part of the affected volume to Asian countries such as Japan and Vietnam, although it acknowledges that these markets do not have the same absorption capacity as the U.S.

Production suspended

Four slaughterhouses in Mato Grosso do Sul have suspended beef production for the United States, while in Goiás, shipments were also halted following Trump’s imposition of the additional 50% tariff. According to the state’s Meat Industry Union (MS), the measure seeks to avoid excess stock that cannot be exported to the U.S. market, given that boneless frozen beef accounts for 45.2% of MS exports in 2025, and the U.S. absorbs 15% of the state’s beef.

In Goiás, about 25% of exported beef goes to the U.S., making it the second-largest market after China. Shipments were suspended to avoid price pressure and surpluses in the domestic market. Authorities warn that diverting the surplus to the local market could put pressure on both meat prices and animal feed supplies. Both MS and GO are intensifying diplomatic efforts, including missions — for example, to Japan — to find new export markets, according to Canal Rural.