Brazil’s pork export volume is rising despite price challenges – CEPEA
Export demand remains strong as domestic prices ease; beef shipments to the U.S. also climb despite new tariff
BRAZIL – Brazil’s pork industry is facing a complex market this spring, with domestic prices slipping while international buyers continue to place higher orders, according to recent figures from the Center for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (Cepea).
Data shows that from March to April, average prices for live pigs and pork dropped locally due to limited buying activity from the processing sector.
Despite the decline, current price levels are still above what they were during the same period in 2024, supported by lower supply and steady consumer demand within Brazil.
Although the domestic market showed weak liquidity in April, international sales have provided some relief for producers.
Brazil exported an average of 5,800 tons of in natura pork per day during the first 17 working days of April, which represents a 7.8% rise compared to March 2025.
This daily average also marks a 32.4% increase from the same stretch in 2024, according to trade data.
If the trend continues through the rest of April, total pork exports could reach 122,400 tons, setting a monthly record in the Secex database, which has tracked such figures since 1997.
Pork Exports Offer Stability Amid Domestic Volatility
The increase in shipments points to Brazil’s growing role in the international pork trade, particularly as other exporting nations manage disease outbreaks, policy shifts, and production limits.
Buyers in markets like North America are now showing more interest in Brazil’s pork exports, partly due to the country’s consistent supply and relatively competitive prices in US dollars (US$).
Brazilian beef sector outlook
In parallel, Brazil’s beef sector has also seen unexpected gains in the United States market, even with a newly enforced import tariff.
According to Brazilian beef association Abiec, exporters shipped about 48,000 metric tons of beef to the U.S. in April, a significant jump from the 8,000 tons recorded in the same month last year.
Speaking at a press briefing, Abiec president Roberto Perosa said the spike in exports occurred despite a 10% tariff imposed by the U.S. on Brazilian beef.
He attributed the strong demand to cattle shortages in the U.S., which have made importers more reliant on suppliers from Brazil and Australia.
Consultancy Datagro has projected that Brazil could surpass the U.S. to become the world’s top beef producer by 2026, as American ranchers continue to struggle with herd growth and output limitations.
Currently, Brazil holds the position as the largest exporter of beef globally, and under the new U.S. trade terms, all beef shipments from Brazil — both inside and outside the 65,000-ton annual quota — are now subject to a 10% duty.
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