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Brazil beef hit China import quota in August; diverts beef to U.S. & Russia

Brazil's beef hit its 1.1-million-metric-ton Chinese import quota in August, two months after Australia hit its 205,000-metric-ton quota. Brazil shifted some of its exports to other countries--including the United States and Russia--after hitting the Chinese quota.

China customs data. Includes HS codes covered by Chinese quotas.

China customs data. Includes HS codes covered by Chinese quotas.

China's beef imports increased year-over-year despite the quotas set this year for 6 countries. Cumulative beef imports for January-August 2026 totaled 1.95 million metric tons, up 148,000 metric tons from the same period last year. Combined imports from the 6 countries with quotas totaled 1.86 mmt, up 175,000 metric tons from last year. 

The other 4 countries with Chinese beef quotas--Argentina, Uruguay, New Zealand, and the United States--together have 714,000 metric tons of unfilled quotas. Uruguay agreed to transfer its unused quota to Brazil, but Chinese authorities have not agreed to this arrangement. 

China exempted dozens of developing countries from the beef import quotas, but imports from these countries declined by 46,000 metric tons year-over-year. Canada has no import quota--because it did not export beef to China during the reference period--and has supplied 15,676 metric tons to China this year.

Brazil's beef exports to China dropped off dramatically in July and August. There was a modest uptick in Brazil's exports to other countries in July and August. Brazil's top beef export markets in August were the United States (29,500 metric tons), and Russia (21,000 metric tons). Brazil's exports to Russia and the U.S. led the increase in exports to non-China markets between June and August with increases of +14,240 metric tons to Russia and +10,160 metric tons to the U.S.

Brazil comex trade database.


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