Meat exports slow down in August.

Brazilian beef exports slowed in August following new restrictions in the main buyer market, increasing the need to redirect shipments to other destinations. This assessment comes from economist André Galhardo Fernandes, who points to a 26% drop in the average daily export volume in the first two weeks of the month, compared to the same period in 2025.

The decline occurs after China filled its quota of 1.106 million tons. Excess volumes are subject to a surcharge of 55%, in addition to the regular tariff of 12%. Between January and July, the country accounted for 47% of the revenue and 45% of the volume of Brazilian beef exports.

Foreign trade data also shows an increase in sales to other Asian markets. During the period, Brazilian exports to Asia grew by 271% of the national currency (TP4Q), from US$5.9 billion to US$7.5 billion. Sales to China advanced by 31% of the national currency (TP4Q), to US$5.34 billion. Vietnam stood out with an increase of 18,553% of the national currency (TP4Q), rising from US$150,000 to US$28.05 million. Hong Kong grew by 55% of the national currency (TP4Q), South Korea by 90% of the national currency (TP4Q), and Indonesia by 21% of the national currency (TP4Q).

According to Galhardo Fernandes, the expansion of sales to Vietnam and other destinations may indicate a reorganization of meat flows destined for the Chinese market, a hypothesis that still needs to be monitored. Brazil has increased to eight the number of meatpacking plants authorized to export to Vietnam in 2026. Even so, no alternative market has the capacity, on its own, to absorb the volume purchased by China. If part of the production remains in the domestic market or goes to smaller destinations, there may be pressure on cattle prices and meatpacking plant margins.