Beef exports from Mercosur countries to Israel are growing significantly in both volume and value. With the regional conflict driving the need to build food inventories, Israel has accelerated its purchases this year.
Based on first-half data for Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and January-May figures for Argentina, Mercosur exported 63,832 tons of beef to Israel, up 12% from a year earlier. At the same time, the average export value rose a strong 33% year-on-year, increasing from US$ 6,751 per ton in 2025 to US$ 8,992 per ton in 2026.
Shipments increased sharply from Paraguay (+24% year-on-year to 19,615 tons), Argentina (+21% to 23,257 tons through May), and Uruguay (+19% to 6,140 tons), partially offset by a 12% decline in Brazilian exports to 14,821 tons.
The increase in average export value reflects both higher prices for chilled and frozen beef and a greater share of chilled beef in total shipments, which commands a higher average price.
The most significant increases in frozen beef export prices were recorded by Argentina and Uruguay, where average values rose 49% and 42% year-on-year to US$ 10,249 and US$ 10,747 per ton, respectively. Since Argentina achieves the highest overall average export value in the region, Uruguay's even higher average for frozen beef is likely explained by a larger share of exports produced under the special kosher process, which requires a slower production process and commands higher prices.
Paraguay's average export value increased 26% during the first half to US$ 7,959 per ton, while the average value of Brazilian frozen beef exports rose 19% to US$ 6,846 per ton.
