International demand boosted Brazilian meat exports in September. While beef shipments reached a new record, pork and poultry exports recorded the second-largest volume in history for the month, according to data from industry associations.
Last month, Brazil exported 286.75 thousand tons of beef, an increase of 7.1% compared to the previous record set in July, according to the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec).
Revenue from these shipments totaled USD 1.26 billion in September, the third-highest value in the history of the sector’s exports, behind only August and September 2022, when average meat prices peaked due to the pandemic.
According to Abiec, the top 15 destinations for Brazilian beef showed volume growth in 2024, with highlights being Mexico, Algeria, the Philippines, and Turkey.
China remains the largest buyer of Brazilian beef, but the United Arab Emirates increased their imports by 162%, reaching 120 thousand tons. Revenue from the UAE rose 168% to USD 547 million.
Meanwhile, poultry exports reached 485 thousand tons last month, a 22% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). Additionally, pork exports rose 7.3% year-over-year to 120.4 thousand tons.
Revenue from poultry exports in September was also the second-highest ever recorded, at USD 953.8 million, up 32.6% compared to September 2023. A similar scenario was seen with pork, with a 15.9% increase in revenue, reaching USD 283.7 million.
“The strong increase in poultry exports in September reversed the performance recorded throughout the year, which is now positive and expected to remain that way until December,” said ABPA President Ricardo Santin.
The main markets for Brazilian poultry in the month were the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, and the European Union. Data shows an increase in imports from high-value markets like Japan.
As for pork, records indicate a diversification of destinations. “In addition to the consolidation of the Philippines as the main importer, Latin American countries like Chile, Mexico, and Argentina are increasing their demand for Brazilian products,” said Santin.
Prices
Rising demand for animal protein pushed up FAO’s global meat price index in September, following a decline in the previous month.
“The increase in the index was driven by higher poultry prices, mainly reflecting strong import demand for Brazilian poultry following the easing of trade restrictions related to Newcastle disease,” according to the FAO report.
For beef and pork, although global prices remained stable, values in the Brazilian market have been on the rise.
In Paraná, one of the country’s leading production states and home to one of Garra International’s offices, the average price of pork has risen for the fourth consecutive month in September.