With record exports in 2024, the Brazilian beef market has a positive outlook for the coming years, driven by the infrastructure and experience of the national industry.
According to data from the National Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA), the 30.4% increase in exports between January and November 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, confirms the growth of the sector.
Last year, the meat market generated R$13 billion in exports to other countries and intends to further expand its participation in the international market in 2025, especially to Asian countries, which are responsible for almost 30% of global beef protein consumption. .
Roberto Perosa, recently installed president of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec), highlights that, despite challenges, such as , Brazil will continue to expand its production and presence in the global meat trade.
“Brazil is already the largest exporter of beef in the world and we still have some challenges, and we will explore new markets at the beginning of the year, such as Japan, Vietnam, Turkey and South Korea, which correspond to almost 30% of meat consumption in the world,” he said.
Perosa mentioned that an agreement with Japan, which has been negotiated for more than 20 years, is about to be reached. In February, a Brazilian delegation, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, will travel to the country to finalize the terms.
In Türkiye, the proposal is in the final negotiation phase, with only a few technical issues outstanding.
In Vietnam, the bureaucracy has already been overcome and now it remains to send a Brazilian authority to formalize the agreement. Perosa believes that these “challenges” will be overcome at the beginning of 2025.
“The most delayed agreement is that of South Korea, which still needs to overcome obstacles. But there are also internal issues, such as political problems there”, highlighted Perosa.
He also stated that the livestock cycle in Brazil is positive, with the availability of animals for slaughter, projecting that, at least in the next two years, .
Tax Reform
Despite its growing participation in the international market, Brazil will continue to supply the domestic market. Perosa remembers that 75% of all meat produced in the country remains in Brazil.
Looking at this scenario, it reinforces that the tax reform, which will be sanctioned in the coming days,.
“Today, 75% of the meat produced in Brazil stays in Brazil, only 25% is exported. [A reforma] It is essential for us to provide this affordable meal option for Brazilians, as meat consumption is cultural. Brazilians consume a lot of meat. This will correct an injustice for the sector and for Brazilian culture”, he told CNN.
In the regulation of tax reform, which was approved at the end of 2024 by parliamentarians, . Although some inputs already had negative federal taxes, some states charged a local rate.
Now all meat will have a discount for the end consumer and cattle will have a reduced rate, which could result in a significant reduction in prices, including for more noble meats, such as picanha – .
The president of Abiec also highlighted that beef production in Brazil continues to grow, which will result in a continuous supply of meat, both for the domestic and foreign markets.
According to CNA, the sector is expected to grow 6.2% in 2025, reaching R$453.3 billion, driven by the increase in beef production.
COP 30 and sustainability challenges
also brings new challenges to Brazilian livestock farming. Pressure increased after COP 29, held in Azerbaijan in 2024, .
Among Brazil’s priorities is . According to Perosa, COP 30 will be an opportunity for Brazil to stand out as an example of sustainable practices in the agricultural sector.
“For Brazil and the agricultural sector, holding the COP in the country is very positive, as it will show what we have done in terms of integration and sustainability. We are planning to have a pavilion with poultry and pigs to provide an experience so that they can learn more about the Brazilian production system”, he stated.
Perosa also highlighted that Brazil has one of the most extensive production systems in the world, with 80% of its cattle raised on pasture, which gives the country a competitive advantage.
The joint pavilion will showcase the evolution of the sector, including company actions, genetic improvements and the supply of new cattle to China. “We will be able to show what is being done to refute the radicals who say that nothing is being done”, he emphasized.
