Brazil exported a record 200,000 tons of beef in March

Brazil exported 203,490 tons of beef in March, up 28% year-over-year and a new record for the month, industry group Abrafrigo said Friday.

Sales revenue rose 57% over the period to $1.12 billion, another all-time high for March, the group said, citing federal government data.

“In addition to the increase in exports, the average price of the product rose to $5,319 per ton from $4,415 last year, taking into account the first three months of the year,” Abrafrigo said in a statement.

The March figure was second only to the figures for September and August 2021, Reuters reported.

In the first quarter of 2022, beef exports amounted to 545,751 tons, up 33% from the same period in 2021. Revenue reached US $2.9 billion , up 60%.

China continues to lead in imports, purchasing a total of 188,236 tons of Brazilian beef in the quarter, up 30.6% from a year ago. If sales to Hong Kong are also included, beef exports to China were 275,300 tons and $1.66 billion in the first quarter, accounting for 50.45% and 57.11% of total volume and revenue, respectively.

The United States was the largest importer after China with 69,799 tons (+395%) followed by Egypt with 47,706 tons (+262%).