Brazilian beef exports fell 27.1% in volume in August, compared to the same period last year, according to trade balance data released this Friday (4) by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (Mdic).
The data also points to a 19.7% reduction in the exported value of beef. It was US$1.2 billion in August 2026 against US$1.5 billion in 2025.
The reduction mainly reflects the achievement of China's foreign purchasing quota. This quota limits the volume entering the country to 1.1 million tons without the extra 55% tax.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce informed Brazil on August 10 that the quota had reached 90%.
Therefore, according to the director of Statistics and Foreign Trade Studies at Mdic, Herlon Brandão, a reduction in shipments was already expected, as exporters reduce volumes to be less subject to taxation.
Year to date, the balance is positive, with an increase of 4.7% in the volume of chilled and frozen meat, and 22.3% in the value sold in the period, compared to the same period of the previous year.
The August trade balance also shows a relevant reduction in foreign sales of sugar and molasses. The drop recorded was 27.5% in exported volume, and 37% in value. From January to August, the drop in sugar exports is 11.1% in quantity and 28.2% in value.
Among the main destinations for Brazilian exports, the month of August saw a drop in shipments to Asia, with emphasis on China, a reduction of 19.2% compared to August 2025, and 10.9% in value. In the year to date, however, there is an increase of 15% in value, and 3.3% in volume.
For the United States, a country that imposed surcharges on hundreds of products exported by Brazil, the reduction in foreign sales in August is 3.1%.
At the same time, the trade balance points to a 12.1% increase in exported value, which totaled US$3.19 billion. According to Brandão, the variation is driven by the increase in prices of tariffed products.
From January to August, exports to the United States accumulated a reduction of 13.6% in volume and 9.7% in value. During the period, the country's participation in the trade balance fell from 11.7%, in 2025, to 9.6%, in 2026.
The most recent surcharge covers around 20% of trade between Brazil and the United States, according to the Mdic, and appears widespread on the balance. In addition to not being concentrated in sectors and products, American measures do not affect the main products purchased by Americans, such as coffee, orange juice, meat and aircraft.
For the European Union, the second destination for Brazilian exports, the month of August represented an increase of 46.4% in value, reaching US$ 37.29 billion, and 30.3% in export volume. The director of statistics at Mdic says that the result may be influenced by the effects of the European bloc's agreement with Mercosur, but that there is still a lack of complete data provided by European importers.
In the August balance, the most sold products for the bloc were oil, copper, soybeans, fuel oils, soybeans, coffee, tobacco and beef. "These are products that Brazil is very competitive with and that have a growing international demand", says Brandão.
"There are several factors. We have reports of exporters who are already benefiting from the [Mercosur-EU] agreement during this period, but market and supply conditions are also influencing", he states. Among the market conditions are the war in Iran, which has increased demand for fuel, and the heating of the technology sector, which needs copper.
The trade balance in August was US$7.39 billion, a growth of 23.8% compared to the same month in 2025. Among the main partners, the only one to record a deficit was the United States, with a negative balance of US$0.82 billion. From January to August, the accumulated balance is US$55.32 billion, with growth of 28.2%.
In imports in August, a highlight was the drop in the volume of fertilizers purchased, with a drop of 43.2%. The reduction in value was 35.9%. By sector, the extractive industry recorded a 41.3% drop in values purchased in the period. Agriculture grew by 7.4%, and the manufacturing industry grew by 13.4%.
