World Beef Report

World Beef Report 1651

China continues to pressure for lower prices and deal closures remain difficult
Upward trend in chilled prices in Europe continues
USDA forecasts a 300,000-ton drop in Brazilian beef exports in 2026
For the first time more females than males were slaughtered in a quarter in Brazil
Record number of calves and sharp decline in the number of steers in Uruguay
The Argentine Government modifies foot-and-mouth vaccination scheme starting in 2026
China imported beef stocks continued to rise in August

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

9/17/2025

World Beef Report 1650

In August, cattle slaughter in Mercosur recorded its first annual decline
China beef import market remains sluggish
Brazil shipments to China remained at peak levels in August
A new giant in the meat industry is born: Marfrig-BRF merger approved
Cattle slaughter fell in August during Auguts, but was the second highest of the year
With higher Mercosur share, exports to China remained strong in August
Sharp cut in Chinese beef import expectations

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

9/10/2025

World Beef Report 1649

No change in trend in the Chinese market during the last week
Another upward step for chilled beef prices in the EU
With US exit, Brazilian beef exports to Mexico grow
Uruguay average beef export value just a few dollars below 2022 record
Paraguay beef exports up 12% in volume through August
Steer for slaughter prices in Argentina projected to rise 10% by year-end
Chilean beef imports are projected to increase in 2026

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

9/3/2025

World Beef Report 1648

Chinese demand on stand-by mode
U.S. distorted by Customs measure on transshipments
Analyst forecasts a 30% increase in Brazilian slaughter cattle prices
This year 700-800 thousand cattle will be finished with some degree of supplementation in Uruguay
Argentina beef exports in July recorded the 2nd consecutive annual increase after six months below
Australia: historic highs for red meat production
Australia and Brazil increase share in Chinese imports

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

8/27/2025

World Beef Report 1647

China keeps pushing to pay less
Chilled beef market in Europe advances and reaches yearly highs
Cattle slaughter in Brazil reached a record in the second quarter of 2025
Signs of reversal in the livestock cycle in Mato Grosso
Cattle herd liquidation in Argentina not over yet, says analyst
Maximum since January in Chinese beef imports in July
In China, wholesale beef prices increased by US$/kg 1 since April

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

8/20/2025

World Beef Report 1646

The tug-of-war in China’s beef export market continues
The U.S. beef market is more active
Brazil shipped record beef volumes globally and to China in July
With July’s large production, Brazil will have a substantial beef exportable surplus this month
Argentina July slaughter was the highest since October 2024
US beef export volume in June was the lowest in five years
In July, a big volume of beef was shipped to China

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

8/13/2025

World Beef Report 1645

Despite Brazilian resistance, China manages to push prices down
US market “completely frozen”
Brazilian beef may escape the tariff hike, says JBS CEO
Uruguayan beef export value reaches highest since mid-2022
Paraguay exports grow despite decline in some traditional destinations
Turkey provides state support for the purchase of pregnant heifers
Another record for Australian beef exports in July

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

8/6/2025

World Beef Report 1644

Brazil exhausts all avenues to avoid 50% surtax in the US
Brazil–US factor continues to pressure China
July set to break all records for Brazilian beef export volumes
Uruguay’s cattle herd growth will be smaller than previously anticipated
The Argentine government lowers beef export taxes again, but it was more symbolic than an economic relief
The cattle herd in Argentina lost 1.23 million head over the past year
US cattle herd in lowest levels on record

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

7/30/2025

World Beef Report 1643

Between tariffs and speculation, China “deflates”
U.S. demand shifting more toward Australia
Trump’s threat leaves 30,000 tons of Brazilian beef in limbo and plants suspend production
Coprodec extends deadline again for the Marfrig-Minerva deal decision in Uruguay
Argentine beef exports in June were the highest since November 2024
In June, South American beef imports to China increased while U.S. imports collapsed
Uruguay positioned as the top supplier of beef offal to China

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

7/23/2025

World Beef Report 1642

Rumors circulate that China will impose a global beef import quota
The US tariff war against Brazil takes its toll on China
Brazil called US tariffs an “indecent action” and will seek new markets
INAC’s rejection of Minerva’s offer and the timeline that could jeopardize the deal
With no date set, Milei told producers that export taxes are the next to be eliminated
In China they say Argentina is one step away from accessing the beef offal market
Imported beef stocks in China rose again in June

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

7/16/2025

World Beef Report 1641

Stability in beef sales to China
Major suppliers cut beef exports to the U.S. in June
China regains dominance in June as Brazilian beef main destination
The two main beef exporters shipped record volumes in the first half of the year
Expectations consolidate for a record number of calves in Uruguay this year
The Argentine government distributed the Hilton Quota among 40 packing plants and 29 joint projects
Sharp increase in global beef exports to China in June

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

7/9/2025

World Beef Report 1640

China shows disparity in prices and demand
Volume registered for quota 481 nearly doubles quarterly allocation
Brazilian feedlot cattle numbers expected to rise 7% this year
Uruguay average beef export value rose 20% in the first half of the year
Uruguay beef exports to the U.S. at 11-month low in June
Argentine producer groups show first signs of discontent with the government
Turkey’s cattle market heats up again

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

7/2/2025

World Beef Report 1639

China opened the week with a new attitude and stronger demand
Reduced supply and Hilton chilled prices stabilizing
GATT quota market remains “hot”
U.S. market more active in closing deals
Uruguay sustains grainfed beef exports to the EU
Argentine beef exports rose 1.4% in volume and 9.4% in value in May
United States felt the tariff impact in sales to China

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

6/25/2025

World Beef Report 1638

Some importers attempt to pause China’s price recovery
U.S. beef market operating under a new dynamic
Meat production growth in Mercosur shows signs of exhaustion
Minerva seeks to block Marfrig–BRF merger
Japan’s market opening for Brazil would initially include five states
Minerva notifies Colonia sale to Allana Group for US$ 48 million
Argentina close to fulfilling 2024/25 Hilton quota

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

6/18/2025

World Beef Report 1637

Brazil pushes for better prices from China
Firm closures with Israel
Brazil’s export pace slowed in May
Cow slaughter down 15% so far this year in Argentina
Australia’s beef exports in May were third highest on record

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

6/11/2025

World Beef Report 1636

China maintains downward pressure, but some deals reflect Sial-level pricing
Uruguay’s monthly beef exports to the EU hit 16-year high
Legal dispute adds more “noise” to US tariff policy
Lequio acquisition to create Argentina’s largest slaughter group
Paraguay’s average export value reaches highest level in over a decade

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

6/4/2025

World Beef Report 1635

China holds prices steady after Sial amid cautious demand
Fresh drop for chilled and frozen beef in Europe
US market remains sluggish amid “uncertainty”
Brazil's export value hits highest level in over two years
EU rates Uruguay as “low risk” for deforestation

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

5/28/2025

World Beef Report 1634

Moderate volume sales at firm prices during Sial Shanghai
Tariff uncertainty limits Brazil’s sales to the United States
Algeria’s ports are full of beef
“There are rumors that China could move to a quota system”
Uruguay is “interested” in Allana entering the country, said INAC president

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

5/21/2025

World Beef Report 1633

SIAL and the US hit the pause button on China
Chilled prices in Europe strengthen again
Brazilian exports up by more than 90,000 tons in the four month period
Brazil shipped 55,000 tons of beef to North America in April
Beef prices are trending higher in the three main import markets
The aim is to be “more ambitious”
Global beef exports to China remain below 200,000 tons per month

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

5/14/2025

World Beef Report 1632

Trade war fallout ‘starts to bite’ in dealings with China
Kosher operations ramp up in the region
Uruguay: Beef export value at 32 month high in April
Uruguayan President Orsi meets India’s Allana Group
84 % of Argentina Hilton quota shipped by April, completion now unlikely
Paraguay beef exports up 21% year on year despite drop in top market
Australian April beef exports surge to near-record 127,000t

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

5/7/2025

World Beef Report 1631

Stable prices in China, but pressure to pay less persists
Mixed signals in the US
Brazil: Beef average export value hits highest level in more than two years
Brazilian processors seek more buyers for their beef in inland China
Heifers are the star of the Uruguayan domestic market
European bullock prices skyrocket 50% in the year so far
China’s frozen beef imports from Mercosur fall by more than 90,000 t

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

4/30/2025

World Beef Report 1630

China seeks to cool rising prices
Negotiations with Israel move forward
Mercosur steer hits highest level since mid 2022
Brazil: Expectations of higher exports despite lower production
Argentine processors weigh request to scrap export taxes amid the new exchange rate
Argentina: March exports fell 36 % year on year
China should increase imports by 11% over the remainder of the year

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

4/23/2025

World Beef Report 1629

China remains firm, though signs of a slowdown in the upward trend appear
U.S. market begins to take shape again
Main beef producing regions will reduce output
Cattle slaughter reached a record high in Brazil in the first quarter
Argentina eased currency controls and exporters improved the exchange rate by nearly 8% on the first day
China rejected approval of new Brazilian slaughter plants
Wholesale prices in China remain unresponsive

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

4/16/2025

World Beef Report 1628

Despite the trade war, prices remain firm in China
Chaos in trade with the US
The new global balances hit the Mercosur steer price
For the first time, March beef exports from Brazil exceeded 200,000 metric tons
Brazilian beef exports to the United States were a record in March
“It’s not possible to speculate on China's decision”
Beef exports to China in QI fall by about 80 thousand tons

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

4/9/2025

World Beef Report 1627

China between sustained price increases and pressure to push them down
Three-year high for prices within the Hilton quota
US eagerly awaiting Trump’s tariff announcements
Minimum in more than 9 years in Uruguayan boneless frozen exports to China
Shipments of US beef to China plummet
In China, the path is clearing for quotas or tariff hikes on beef imports, according to operator
Beef consumption shows steady growth in China

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

4/2/2025

World Beef Report 1626

China remains firm, though some importers resist additional price increases
Europe remains strong and is now an option even for forequarter cuts
US on hold, awaiting D-Day on April 2
Brazilian government optimism over the approval of “dozens” of beef plants by China
Minerva expects the new deal with Marfrig in Uruguay to be approved by July at the latest
Argentine February exports rebound compared to January, but show a 27% year-on-year drop
Australia and the United States gain prominence in China’s beef import market

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

3/26/2025

World Beef Report 1625

China is out looking for beef and prices are moving
The US beef import market is at a standstill due to uncertainty caused by Trump
Beef production in Brazil will remain robust in 2025
Record domestic consumption and beef exports in Brazil during 2024
Highest level in nearly two years for Uruguayan meatpacking industry debt
Imported beef stocks in China increased for the second consecutive month in February
China Customs let the approval of more than 350 US beef exporting plants expire

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

3/19/2025

World Beef Report 1624

China consolidates the price recovery
Brazilian beef export volume was a record for February
Falling exports of beef and byproducts from Brazil to China and Hong Kong
Around 100,000 cattle remain to be slaughtered in Uruguay for the Hilton quota
February cattle slaughter in Argentina was the lowest in 3 years
Nearly 400 US beef plants could be left out of China; rumors of more delistings from South America
Chinese beef imports projected to grow 2% in 2025

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

3/12/2025

World Beef Report 1623

The trade war begins to impact the beef trade
Exporters to the US used 25% of quotas in the first two months of the year
Record beef exports are forecasted for Brazil in 2025, USDA said
Government of Brazil considered restricting exports to curb the rise in domestic prices
Maximums in 18 years in Uruguayan frozen beef exports to the US
Argentina removed the ban on exporting live cattle
China suspends beef imports from some plants in top suppliers

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

3/5/2025

World Beef Report 1622

Improved Chinese demand translates into higher prices, but the struggle continues
Europe seeks a ceiling for the Hilton market
Brazil on track to have the world’s largest traceability system
Uruguayan cattle herd growth will be modest in 2024/25
Eleven Uruguayan meatpacking plants are inactive at the start of 2025
Three-year low for Argentine beef exports in January
Brazil consolidates as the main beef supplier to the Chilean market

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

2/26/2025

World Beef Report 1621

With China present, Gulfood dominates the center of business
European beef import market remains overheated
Brazil average beef export value fell to its lowest level in eight weeks
Allana Group denies link with Salic
A fire destroyed Gorina’s plant, one of the largest Argentine beef exporters
Imported beef stock in China did not maintain its trend in January
Cattle numbers on feed in Australia hit new record high at 1.45m head

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

2/19/2025

World Beef Report 1620

Signs of improvement noted in China’s beef import market
Chilled cuts to the EU reach highest levels since October
Brazil export volume to China in January was the lowest in 10 months
Minerva persists in purchasing three Marfrig plants in Uruguay and would sell one of them to the Indian Allana Group
Analyst forecasts a 5–7% drop in Argentine cattle slaughter and challenges for exporting meatpackers
Bolivia suspended beef exports and warns of million-dollar losses
Less than 200,000 tons of beef were shipped to China in January
SPECIAL REPORT - The future of livestock lies in intensification

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

2/12/2025

World Beef Report 1619

Slow return from China after the New Year
The Hilton market gains strength
Uruguayan beef exports to China at a five-year low
Shortage of steers in Argentina will continue at least until March, industry says
Intense slaughter pace in January in Paraguay
U.S. producers call for measures to reduce beef imports
Exports of Australian beef match 2014/15 record

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

2/5/2025

World Beef Report 1618

China dimmed by the Lunar New Year
Conab projects a slight contraction in Brazilian beef production for 2025
Renewed momentum in Uruguay sheep meat exports to Israel
The Argentine government allocated the US beef quota
Expectations for the opening of kosher business from Paraguay with the US
Sky-high cattle prices in Turkey
Three out of every four kilos imported by China in 2024 came from Mercosur

editor: Rafael Tardáguila

1/29/2025