In July 2025, Mato Grosso sent 656.49 thousand cattle to slaughter, reported Imea based on data from Indea-MT. The volume rose 7.07% month-on-month, but the increase came exclusively from the number of males slaughtered, which totaled 339 thousand head, while females fell by 6 thousand head compared to June. Compared to July 2024, slaughter contracted by 33 thousand head (-4.7%), with a sharper decline in males (-22 thousand head) than in females (-11 thousand).
Despite the monthly increase, the share of females —which had been above 50.00% over the last six months— decreased, averaging 48.35% in July 2025.
“Beyond the seasonal movement, the recovery in calf prices and the improvement in cow-calf margins have encouraged the beginning, albeit subtle, of breeding herd retention in the state. Thus, with the cycle transition, the share of females in slaughter is beginning to decline, a positive factor for finished male prices,” said Imea.
Mato Grosso is the state with the largest cattle slaughter in Brazil. For exporting plants, 21-24% of total slaughter takes place in this state.
