As many market participants had expected beforehand, the presence of Chinese operators during the first two days of the latest edition of Gulfood in Dubai this week “was clearly felt,” a broker at the fair told World Beef Report (WBR).

A Paraguayan exporter told WBR that during the first two days of Gulfood, Asian and Russian buyers stood out at Paraguay’s stand.

Despite the strength of the euro against the dollar (hovering near 1.20), which supports higher dollar prices, European importers are trying to cap the rise in chilled prices for Hilton quota cuts, particularly from Argentina.

Import activity in the United States remains subdued. “The customers we work with are well stocked due to quota issues and are asking for shipments only from April onward,” an operator said.

According to a trader attending Gulfood, interest and demand for sheepmeat from Gulf countries “remain very strong,” but the “main problem” is the lack of available supply from various exporters. “The shortage of sheepmeat has become a global phenomenon,” he said.

The Chile market remains stable at the start of the year, with prices showing little variation and consumption described as “slow but steady,” according to an importer. References stand at US$/t 6,300–6,500 for 19–20 cuts from Brazil, and US$/t 7,000–7,250 for Paraguay.

The marked weakness of the US dollar is pushing slaughter cattle prices higher across the region. The US currency has been falling against most South American currencies, as well as against other assets.

The average export value of Brazilian beef has remained largely stable in recent months. Based on data from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex), from July 2025 through the third week of January 2026 it has mostly held within a narrow range of US$/t 5,500 to US$/t 5,600.

MAPA announced the opening of two new markets for agrifood products: beef tallow will be allowed into Vietnam, and bovine heparin into Saudi Arabia. According to the ministry, the expansion represents progress in diversifying the domestic meat chain and broadens opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness in key markets.

Brazil exported 1.05 million head of live cattle in 2025, reaching a new annual record and exceeding the 2024 total by 4.8%, according to data from Scot Consultoria. The increase in shipments was also reflected in export revenues, which totaled US$ 1.0 billion, up 26.1% year on year.

Prices for finished cattle and beef in Brazil remain firm in January 2026, despite it being a month of historically lower consumption, according to Cepea/Esalq-USP. This resilience is linked to tighter supply and active domestic and external demand, defying the usual early-year seasonality.

The president of the National Meat Institute (INAC), Gastón Scayola, confirmed that the agency’s sheep agenda includes installing black boxes at plants dedicated to the segment, a process that had been left unfinished.

Despite already moving through the production window for the EU 481 quota, which reduces demand from several plants for grassfed cattle, the finished cattle market remains very firm, with prices continuing to rise. This strength is being driven by tight supply and improved export prices currently being achieved.

With the start of activity for the European 481 quota, involving cattle finished in feedlots, cattle slaughter increased last week and reached its highest level since late November.

Sheep slaughter also rose last week. INAC reported that 16,633 sheep were processed in the week to January 24, 5,039 more than the previous one, with increases across all categories. Lambs totaled 7,578 head, up 3,511 head (+86%) week on week, overtaking ewes, which totaled 6,310 head.

Beef exports fell again in December because of tight cattle supplies and high livestock prices, which led to reduced slaughter at some export plants and shutdowns at others during the two holiday weeks at year-end.

Argentina closed 2025 with exports of 713,364 tons of fresh and frozen beef (product weight, equivalent to 852,000 tons bone-in) for a record value of US$ 3.884 billion.

China, Argentina’s main beef destination, reduced its purchases in 2025. While shipments of bone-in beef and bones to China reached a record 185,362 tons, exports of boneless beef totaled 310,704 tons, the lowest volume since 2018.

Europe, Israel and the United States—Argentina’s second, third and fourth-largest beef destinations—recorded all-time high purchases in 2025.

Exports of beef offal and industrialized beef products reached 10,725 tons in December 2025, worth US$ 25.5 million. For the full year, shipments totaled 122,822 tons (1.6% less than in 2024) for US$ 255.6 million (+27.5% year on year).

Nearly a year after the fire that damaged its plant near the city of La Plata (Buenos Aires) and with reconstruction due to be completed in six months, Frigorífico Gorina is assessing a “strategic alliance” with Frigorífico Bermejo, located in Pichanal, Salta province, where Gorina already processes cattle as a tolling user.

Prices for export-oriented cattle are showing renewed upward momentum. British-breed cross steers of higher carcass quality have been trading around AR$ 7,700–7,900 per kg carcass, with some sources indicating up to AR$ 8,000 for top-quality lots from regular suppliers.

The Paraguayan cattle market for slaughter-ready animals posted its fourth consecutive weekly increase. The list price for common steers and heifers stands at US$ 4.50 per kg carcass weight (+10 cents week-on-week), while finished cows are quoted at US$ 4.20. “There are some spot deals above those levels,” a broker told WBR.

The January Cattle-on-Feed Report from the USDA confirmed the tightening trend in US cattle supplies, with slightly stronger-than-expected inventories and placements, and marketings exceeding pre-report forecasts. The figures reinforce concerns over limited feeder availability as the new year gets underway.

Tyson Foods will temporarily continue beef processing at its Lexington, Nebraska plant, despite beginning the facility’s closure on January 20. The decision provides a short reprieve for about 9% of the site’s 3,200 employees, Reuters said.

The severe winter storm that swept through the US cattle belt disrupted all aspects of beef production. According to The AG Center, the coming days will be key to assessing the damage to both human and animal welfare. Feedyard operations have slowed, and cattle performance is expected to be negatively affected.

Compared to the last market test, US beef import prices were moderately higher.

The city council of Amsterdam has voted to ban meat advertising in public spaces, placing it alongside fossil fuels as part of its climate strategy. The ban also covers air travel, cruises and petrol-powered cars, while retailers will still be allowed to advertise these products inside shops, informed Australian portal Beef Central.

Romania’s Ministry of Agriculture announced the launch of a strategic plan to revive the country’s livestock herd and ease the severe supply crisis affecting the domestic meat industry.

Restocker yearling steer prices in Australia have seen a sharp lift at the beginning of 2026, with the National Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator (NRSI) reaching A$/c/kg 504 liveweight, up 60¢ from the end of 2025. This marks a year-on-year increase of 108¢/kg, though still below the recent peak of A$/c/kg 553 in November 2025.

The government of Indonesia has reduced the maximum price at which feedlots can sell finished cattle during the peak consumption period linked to Ramadan, cutting it from IDR 58,000 to IDR 55,000 per kilo (from US$ 3.47 to US$ 3.29 per kilo liveweight, a 5.2% drop). The move increases pressure on the profitability of feedlots importing live cattle, mainly from Australia, Beef Central reported.

China announced the lifting of the ban on Canada’s beef, in place since 2021, allowing exports from the country to resume immediately. The measure was officially communicated by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and is part of the new beef import quota regime.

Brazilian multinational JBS announced it will double production capacity at its new poultry plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, before the end of 2026. The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and align with Saudi policy to reduce import dependence by boosting local production.