Brazil Passes U.S. As Top Beef Producer

Market estimates show that Brazil surpassed the U.S. as the world’s number one beef producer in 2025.  Reuters said that happened after Brazil beat output forecasts by hundreds of thousands of tons, easing a global supply squeeze and helping limit a surge in meat prices.

Reuters added Brazil was already the biggest beef exporter, with shipments totaling almost $17 billion in 2025.  

“Beef production numbers are not due till February, but analysts have recently raised their estimates,” the story noted. “Farmers are sending more animals to slaughter and cashing in on high export demand from countries like China and the U.S., where low beef supplies have pushed prices to record levels.” 

Bloomberg also noted that said beef demand has stayed resilient, despite high prices, and the Trump administration’s overhaul of dietary guidelines putting protein at the top of the food pyramid will likely encourage Americans to buy more meat.

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