Brazil: Beef exports grow 30.2 percent in March
In terms of revenue, performance was also positive, with foreign sales totaling US$ 1.17 billion in the month, an increase of 12.8% compared to February and 39.6% compared to March 2024. The sector played a prominent role among those that contributed most to the trade balance surplus in the period.
Fresh meat remained the main exported category, accounting for 86.8% of the volume and 89.7% of revenue in the month. There were also increases in exports of tripe (+37.3% in volume and +36.3% in value) and salted products (+35.7% in volume and +34.6% in value), compared to February. The processed and offal categories also grew by more than 9% in exported volume.
China maintained its leadership as the main destination for Brazilian beef, with 97.3 thousand tons shipped – corresponding to 39.2% of the total volume – and US$ 463.8 million in revenue (39.4%). The United States continued to gain relevance, with a significant increase of 56.3% in volume (42.1 thousand tons) and 53% in value (US$ 225.5 million) compared to the previous month. Other markets with significant growth in volume in March were Russia, with an 81.5% increase in tons exported (from 4,494 to 8,155 t), Israel (+48.6%, from 3,334 to 4,954 t), the Philippines (+38.2%, from 4,076 to 5,631 t) and Mexico (+30.7%, from 4,421 to 5,777 t).
From January to March this year, exports totaled 676 thousand tons (+12.8%) and generated US$ 3.22 billion in revenue (+22.1%).
The top ten markets in the quarter were China (284.6 thousand tons; 42.1% of total exports), United States (88 thousand tons; 13.0%), Chile (30.5 thousand tons; 4.5%), Hong Kong (24.1 thousand tons; 3.6%), European Union (22.4 thousand tons; 3.3%), Algeria (21.3 thousand tons; 3.1%), Russia (19.5 thousand tons; 2.9%), Egypt (18.3 thousand tons; 2.7%), Saudi Arabia (14.6 thousand tons; 2.2%) and Mexico (13.3 thousand tons; 2.0%).
The states that exported the most beef in the quarter were São Paulo, with 145 thousand tons, responsible for 21.7% of the total exported by the country, followed by Mato Grosso (137 thousand tons and 20.5% of the total), Goiás (80.8 thousand tons and 12% of the total), Mato Grosso do Sul (74.3 thousand tons and 11.1%) and Rondônia (61.9 thousand tons and 98.3%).
"The results recorded in March and in the quarter reflect not only the competitiveness and quality of Brazilian beef in the international market, but also the efficiency of the entire production chain, from the field to the export industry. It is important to highlight that only about 30% of national production is destined for export, with cuts, for the most part, different from those consumed in the domestic market. This process, in addition to preserving domestic supply, represents an important source of foreign exchange for the country, contributing strongly to the generation of jobs, income and economic development in all Brazilian regions", stated Roberto Perosa, president of ABIEC.
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