With the first four months of 2025 over, Brazil is increasingly demonstrating its strength in the global supply of beef. At the end of April, another record was set for the month, with the shipment of around 241.6 thousand tons of fresh protein , an increase of 16.3% compared to April 2024. In terms of revenue, foreign sales totaled more than US$ 1.21 billion, an increase of more than 29% compared to the same period last year.
Although China remained the main destination for Brazilian beef, the big boost in exports in April came from North America. The US and Mexico simultaneously imported the largest monthly volumes in history: 44.2 thousand tons (+870.6% YoY) and 11 thousand tons (+340.9% YoY), respectively. Together, the two countries accounted for more than half of the approximately 106 thousand tons shipped to China in the month.
It is noteworthy that the record shipments to North America occurred shortly after the announcement of the “tariff hike” by former President Donald Trump, which raised the tax on Brazilian beef to a total of 36.4% — adding 26.4% of the TRQ quotas and an additional 10%. It is worth noting that the US import quota had already been fully filled by Brazil since the third week of January.
Despite the new tariffs, beef cattle prices in the US hit a new record, surpassing US$116.00/@. This increase in prices impacts the entire chain, all the way to the end consumer. Even so, according to estimates by DATAGRO, Brazilian beef exports remain around 5% cheaper than equivalent “Choice” cuts sold wholesale in the US.
The result proves not only the structural protein deficit in North America, but also the resilience of Brazilian exports even in the face of new tariff barriers. Considering the US, Mexico and Canada, the North American cattle herd is currently the smallest since the beginning of the USDA historical series, which began in 1960. This shows that the supply problem is no longer limited to the US, but affects the entire region, which is strongly integrated into its production chains.
Factors such as climate change and lack of succession on small farms are making it difficult for the herd to recover, especially in the US. Higher slaughter of females and longer fattening cycles have been used to overcome short-term shortages, but they worsen the medium- and long-term scenario by reducing the number of available breeding stock.
About DATAGRO
With over 40 years of experience, DATAGRO is an independent agro-industrial consultancy and a global reference in the sector. It produces analyses, news and primary data on agriculture, soybeans, corn, cotton, sugarcane, sugar, ethanol, biodiesel, coffee, citrus, livestock, milk, among others, assisting decision-making in over 50 countries.
There are more than 130 monthly reports covering 18 agricultural and energy commodities. The company brings together twelve business units: High Performance, Market Analysis, Strategic Consulting, Management, Markets, Financial, Governments, Benri, DataMaps, Deag, Geocane and Experience — responsible for the world’s largest agribusiness events, such as the Global Agribusiness Forum (GAF) and the Global Agribusiness Festival (GAFFFF) , held annually in June (in 2025, on the 5th and 6th, at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo).
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