Brazil seeks new beef markets amid EU and China restrictions
Brazilian beef exporters are increasingly looking for alternative markets amid restrictions on access to the EU and declining shipments to China. From September 3, the European Union suspended imports of several animal products from Brazil due to requirements related to controls on the use of antimicrobial drugs.
The European market is particularly important for Brazilian beef as it buys higher-priced, value-added cuts. In 2025, Brazil’s beef exports to the EU exceeded $1 billion. Industry representatives note that these volumes cannot be quickly redirected, as different markets have different demand profiles for specific products.
At the same time, shipments to China, the largest buyer of Brazilian beef, have become more difficult. Once the available import quota is exhausted, shipments above the established volume are subject to higher tariffs. This has already affected trade, with Brazilian beef exports to China falling to 16.1 thsd tons in August from 158 thsd tons in June.
The US could become one of the destinations for redirected shipments. In August, the country imported around 35 thsd tons of Brazilian beef, up from 26 thsd tons in June, partially offsetting weaker Chinese demand. Other potential markets for Brazil include countries in Asia and the Middle East.
Restrictions in two important markets are already affecting overall exports. Brazil shipped around 225 thsd tons of beef abroad in August, down 23% year-on-year and 29% from the record level reached in June.
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