The absence of the U.S. in Brazil’s beef import market has opened the door for a new major customer: Mexico.
Brazilian beef shipments to Mexico were already climbing sharply until August, when Washington slapped a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil. From January to July, beef exports to Mexico surged 250% to $364 million — already exceeding the full-year total for 2024.
The surge is tied to tighter cattle supplies in the U.S., according to Brazil’s beef exporters group Abiec. Mexico, which has long relied on its northern neighbor to supplement domestic production, has been forced to look elsewhere as American beef exports slumped, said Abiec’s head Roberto Perosa. With the U.S. retreating from Brazil’s market, Mexico is set to become even more important for Brazilian meatpackers.
“It’s a rapidly expanding market and could become a key destination as Brazilian beef faces geopolitical headwinds in the U.S.,” Perosa said.
Traders believe that if the U.S. keeps its 50% tariff over Brazil, Mexico could boost its own exports north, given it has free access to the American market. To cover its domestic needs, Mexico would then buy more from Brazil — an arbitrage play that could fatten margins for Mexican companies.
In 2024, the U.S. purchased 232,000 tons of beef from Mexico worth $1.35 billion, while shipping 107,000 tons south valued at $1 billion, USDA data show.
More Export Approvals
Perosa traveled to Mexico last week alongside Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro to drum up business. The delegation secured a pledge to authorize 14 additional Brazilian plants to export to Mexico. Inspectors will be dispatched to review the facilities, including two owned by JBS, one by Marfrig and three by Minerva — Brazil’s top three exporters.
Even as Brazil works to deepen ties with Mexico, meatpackers are pressing the government to keep lobbying Washington. A group of agribusiness executives — including beef and coffee exporters, the two sectors hardest hit by the tariff — is heading to Washington this week to negotiate a tariff relief.
Chicken and Pork
Brazil’s poultry and pork industries are also eyeing Mexico. The country ranked as the ninth-largest buyer of Brazilian chicken in 2024, with 191,000 tons worth $403 million, according to ABPA, Brazil’s poultry and pork exporter group. This year, exports are expected to top $500 million.
Mexico’s demand has been spurred by the government’s PACIC program, which waives import tariffs on basic food staples. The measure, renewed annually, is expected to be extended again in 2026, Minister Fávaro said after meetings in Mexico City.
Still, pork is seen as Brazil’s biggest growth opportunity. Mexico is the world’s largest pork importer but takes just 48,000 tons from Brazil — all from Santa Catarina, the only state recognized by Mexico as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. By contrast, Mexico buys around 1 million tons a year from the U.S.
Brazilian exporters are pushing for recognition of additional states, which would significantly expand market access.
