Average profitability per feedlot animal in Brazil reached R$ 869 per head in 2025, an increase of 28.9% compared to the R$ 674 recorded the previous year, according to a Cargill survey conducted among 217 feedlots representing about 27% of the country’s grainfed cattle.
The improved results were driven by a more favorable cost scenario, with cheaper grains compared to 2024, combined with stronger cattle prices supported by record exports and firm domestic demand.
Looking ahead to 2026, optimism continues to prevail: 70.2% of producers expect a better year than the previous one, while 21.5% foresee stability. Among the main opportunities identified were cattle selling prices, input costs, and improved commercial management.
The study, which Cargill has conducted since 2016, covered more than 2.7 million head and has become a benchmark for measuring competitiveness and economic performance in Brazil’s feedlot business.
