Cattle slaughter in Brazil is estimated to have increased 0.7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to a preliminary estimate by Safras & Mercado. The rise reflects firm Chinese demand within the 1.1 million ton quota, which boosted industrial capacity utilization and reduced idle capacity at plants.
This context also pushed finished male prices to record levels, ranging between R$/@ 355 in Goiás and R$/@ 368 in São Paulo as of April 16.
Official IBGE data for the period will be released after mid-May, Pecuária reported.
