Brazil’s fed cattle market weakened again last week despite tight supplies and relatively short slaughter schedules.
According to Agrifatto, producers continue to hold back cattle, while packers remain cautious due to uncertainty surrounding the imminent exhaustion of China’s beef import quota. In Mato Grosso, the average cattle price fell 1% to R$/@ 343.21 by the end of the week, while the August 2026 B3 futures contract settled at R$/@ 335.35, recovering 0.37% on the day.
Agrifatto said packers are promoting gradual price declines to avoid encouraging even greater cattle retention by producers. The consultancy also warned that Brazil’s domestic beef market is already beginning to feel the effects of reduced shipments to China, prompting distributors to adopt a cautious purchasing strategy and buy only as needed to avoid building inventories. In São Paulo, Agrifatto reported prices of R$/@ 350 for both conventional fed cattle and China cattle.
According to Scot Consultoria, packers continue purchasing only the volumes necessary to fulfill their slaughter schedules, while most producers maintain a firm stance and market cattle gradually.
However, the consultancy also detected a greater willingness to sell among some cattle producers seeking to secure margins. These producers have begun accepting prices below prevailing market references amid concerns that further downward corrections could occur in the short term.
