China regains dominance in June

Brazil's beef exports in June more closely resembled patterns seen in previous years rather than recent months. China once again overwhelmingly dominated as the main destination, accounting for 56% of total beef shipments, while exports to the United States fell to their lowest level in a year.

Brazilian exporters shipped 134,421 tons of frozen beef to China in June, the highest monthly volume since October 2024 and 23,000 tons more than in May. The rise in average export value to China (averaging US$/t 5,505, the highest in nearly three years) and the cooling U.S. demand due to the tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration prompted a redirection of shipments back to the Asian market. The share sent to China was the highest since late last year.

Meanwhile, exports to the U.S. fell from a peak of 42,000 tons in April to just 13,453 tons in June, a 68% drop in two months.

Interestingly, shipments to Mexico (3,359 tons of chilled beef and 12,811 tons of frozen beef) exceeded those to the U.S. Mexico has become the third-largest destination for Brazilian frozen beef in the first half of the year, with 41,487 tons and an average value of US$/t 5,225, the highest among major destinations.