The United States, the United Arab Emirates and, above all, China were the main countries importing beef from Brazil in 2024.
Brazilian exports of this product to the whole world were US$ 10,087 million, which implied a year-on-year growth of 18%, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
Countries importing beef from Brazil
Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter and China was its most relevant market, with a 59.3% share of these shipments, measured in value.
The record year for beef exports from Brazil was 2022, with 10,938 million dollars.
The following ranking shows the main Brazilian beef importing countries in 2024, in millions of dollars and their annual percentage variation:
- China: 5,980 (+4 percent).
- United States: 886 (+93 percent).
- United Arab Emirates: 523 (+94 percent).
- Philippines: 334 (+60 percent).
- Egypt: 273 (+12 percent).
- Russia: 261 (+39 percent).
- Hong Kong: 184 (-4 percent).
- Saudi Arabia: 172 (+23 percent).
- Italy: 164 (+26 percent).
- Mexico: 152 (+575 percent).
- Total imports from Brazil: 10,087 (+18 percent).
Brazilian market
According to the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (ABRAS), Brazilian household consumption grew 10.7% in December 2023, compared to the same month in 2022. Over the year, supermarket sales increased 3.1% in real terms.
Brazil ranks among the world’s largest meat consumers. In 2023, per capita consumption reached 95.9 kg, representing an increase of 0.3% over 2022, according to the OECD.
The demand for chicken and pork meat varies according to the country’s economic situation. For the period 2023-2028, poultry consumption is estimated to grow by 5.7% and pork by 4.3%, as these continue to be the main sources of protein in Brazil.
Brazil was the second largest producer, third largest consumer and largest exporter of beef in the world in 2023, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).