China and Lower Grain Prices Power Surge in Brazil’s Meat Exports

Brazilian beef and chicken exports, which cement the country’s position as the world’s leading supplier of these products, are on track to set new records in 2025. Annual data released on Tuesday (January 7), coupled with analyses from industry associations, paint an optimistic picture, driven by lower grain prices and a favorable exchange rate.

The depreciation of Brazil’s currency has bolstered the nation’s competitiveness on the global stage, benefiting major players such as JBS (JBSS3.SA) and BRF (BRFS3.SA). According to compiled data, China remains the top destination for exports, generating an impressive $6 billion in revenue from beef alone in 2024.

Brazil exported 2.89 million tonnes of beef last year, marking a 26% increase in volume compared to 2023. Revenue also surged, reaching $12.8 billion, a 22% rise. “It was a historic year for Brazil’s beef industry and the livestock sector as a whole,” said Roberto Perosa, president of Abiec. He noted that 2025 holds significant potential to surpass records in both volume and revenue.

The chart below provides an overview of Brazilian bovine meat exports carried out in containers between January 2021 and November 2024 to China. The data was gathered using Datamar’s pioneer maritime data provider, DataLiner.

Frozen Bovine Meat Exports to China| Jan 2021 – Nov 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Furthermore, the Brazilian government is negotiating access to new strategic markets, including Japan, Vietnam, Turkey, and South Korea, which could further boost exports in the near future.

Poultry exports also delivered impressive results. Shipments rose 3% in 2024, totaling 5.294 million tonnes, with record-breaking revenue of $9.928 billion—a 1.3% increase over the previous year, according to ABPA (Brazilian Animal Protein Association).

“The trade balance performance confirms our expectations and signals consistent growth in export volumes, with an average exceeding 440,000 tonnes per month,” explained Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA. He emphasized that indicators for 2025 are even more promising, with expectations of higher monthly volumes and results surpassing those of 2024.

With China as its leading market and the prospect of new international opportunities, Brazil continues to solidify its position as the global leader in meat exports.

Source: Notícias Agrícolas 

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