Brazil’s beef exports fell 7% in 2021

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian beef exports through 2021, including fresh and processed products, fell 7% in volume compared to 2020, but the industry’s turnover increased 9% year-on-year, according to the latest data from the Brazilian Association of Slaughterhouses (ABRAFRIGO).

According to the Association’s report based on data from the Brazilian Ministry of Economy’s Foreign Trade Secretariat, the country shipped 1.867,594 tons in 2021 compared to 2.016,223 tons in 2020, a year of record exports.

However, due to the rise in the price of the product in international markets, revenues increased from US$8.485 billion in 2020 to US$9.236 billion in 2021.

With respect to Brazil’s trading partners, China is the main buyer of beef, accounting for over 50.8% of the country’s foreign sales in 2021.

Imports of Brazilian beef by China were slightly lower than in 2020, and closed last year with a total of 950.057 tons.

The United States also stands out, becoming the second largest importer of the product, increasing purchases from 59.545 tons in 2020 to 148.177 tons in 2021, up 148.9%.

Chile came third, maintaining its position from 90.403 tons imported in 2020 to 110.626 tons in 2021 (+22.4%).