China, lower grain prices bolster Brazil beef and chicken export prospects

Sao Paulo | Reuters—Beef and chicken exports from Brazil, the world’s largest supplier of both meat types, may break new records in 2025, two industry groups said on Tuesday after the release of annual trade data.

Their optimism reflects the positive effects of lower grain prices and a weak Brazilian currency, which could continue to bolster meat exports and local companies including JBS and BRF.

China remained Brazil’s main destination for both beef and chicken exports, according to the trade groups. Beef exports to China alone brought in $6 billion (C$8.6 billion), the data showed.

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Overall, Brazil exported a total of 2.89 million tons of beef last year, up more than 26 per cent compared with the previous year, according to government data compiled by the domestic beef lobby Abiec. Sales totaled $12.8 billion (C$18.4 billion), 22 per cent more than in 2023.

“It was a historic year for the national beef industry, for the livestock sector and for Brazil,” said Abiec President Roberto Perosa in a statement. “Even though it is still early to make a prediction, I believe that 2025 has everything we need to break the record by volume and also by revenue.”

Abiec said the Brazilian government is in talks to open up key markets like Japan, Vietnam, Turkey and South Korea.

Chicken meat exports, in turn, rose three per cent to 5.294 million tons in 2024, according to chicken and pork lobby ABPA. Chicken export revenue was also a record $9.928 billion ($14.242 billion), up 1.3 per cent compared with 2023.

“The year’s trade balance confirms ABPA’s expectations and also points to new levels of average shipment volumes exceeding 440,000 tons per month,” said ABPA President Ricardo Santin. “The indicators remain positive for 2025, with potential new monthly increases and expectation of numbers relatively higher than in the previous year.”

—Reporting by Ana Mano and Roberto Samora in Sao Paulo