EN 
PT_BR 
Between January and April 2026, Mato Grosso recorded the highest percentage of young cattle slaughter in the historical series initiated in 2006 by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea). During this period, 44% of the animals slaughtered in the state were up to 24 months old, a rate much higher than that recorded at the beginning of the series, when this percentage was only 2%.
The increase in early slaughter is linked to the modernization of livestock farming in Mato Grosso, with greater investment in genetics, nutrition, and intensification of production. In addition to improving meat quality, with greater tenderness, standardization, and finish, the model is also seen by the sector as an alternative to increase the efficiency of the activity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Younger animals spend less time in the production system, which reduces methane emissions per head and increases livestock efficiency. Furthermore, early slaughter contributes to higher quality, more standardized meat that meets the demands of the international market,” says Bruno de Jesus Andrade, Projects Director at the Mato Grosso Institute of Meat (Imac).
The production performance comes amid the growth of beef exports from the state. In April 2026, Mato Grosso recorded a record for shipments for the month, with 84,100 tons of carcass weight equivalent (TEC) exported, a volume 2.1% higher than that recorded in March and 18.98% above the same period in 2025.
Revenue from Mato Grosso's exports totaled US$408.66 million, an increase of 9.38% compared to the previous month and 47.86% in the annual comparison.
Data from Imea, based on the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex), also shows that Mato Grosso accounted for 24.62% of all beef exported by Brazil in April 2026, maintaining its national leadership in shipments of this protein.
China remained the main destination for beef from Mato Grosso, accounting for 591,000 tons of the state's exports in April. Nationally, the Chinese accounted for 51,551 tons of Brazilian beef shipments during the same period.
"Mato Grosso has been consolidating its position as the country's main exporter of beef. These results demonstrate the state's ability to increase production, gain efficiency, and meet increasingly demanding markets in terms of quality and consistency," highlights the Director of Projects at Imac.
