Brazilian beef exports fell 27.1 percent in volume in August compared to the same month in 2025, as per data released Friday (Sep. 4) by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services.

In value terms, the decline was 19.7 percent, with USD 1.2 billion exported during the month, compared to USD 1.5 billion a year earlier.

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The decline comes after the foreign purchase quota set by China was reached. China limits the volume of meat that can enter the country to 1.106 million metric tons without the imposition of an additional 55 percent tariff.

The quota

According to Herlon Brandão, director for statistics and foreign trade studies at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Services, the reduction in shipments had been expected as the limit set by China drew closer.

Despite the monthly decline, year-to-date performance for 2026 remains positive. From January through August, Brazil’s total exports of chilled and frozen meat grew 4.7 percent in volume and 22.3 percent in value compared to the same period last year.

Sales to Asia

China also influenced the overall performance of Brazilian exports to Asia. In August, shipments to the continent fell 19.2 percent compared to the same month in 2025. In value terms, the decline was 10.9 percent.

From January through August, however, the picture was different – Brazilian exports to Asia rose 15 percent in value and 3.3 percent in volume.

Brazil’s balance of trade posted a surplus of USD 7.4 billion in August, up 23.8 percent from the same month in 2025.

This is the third-largest trade surplus for the month of August, surpassed only by the record set in August 2023 (USD 9.6 billion) and August 2021 (USD 7.7 billion).

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The performance was mainly driven by growth in exports, which rose nearly 12.2 percent during the month, as per data released by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services.

The total tade flow – the sum of exports and imports – reached USD 58.9 billion, the highest figure ever recorded for the month of August in the current time series.

From January through August, the trade balance posted a surplus of USD 55.3 billion:

• Exports – USD 250.9 billion (+10.3%);
• Imports – USD 195.5 billion (+6.1%);
• Trade balance – USD 55.3 billion (+28.2%).

The balance is the second-highest for the period since the time series began, in 1989. It is surpassed only by January through August 2023, when the surplus stood at USD 62.4 billion.