Portuguese 
Between January and July, beef cuts and pork became cheaper in Brazil as exports slowed. Chuck dropped by 3.90%, sirloin by 2.77%, and pork by 8.11%. In July, external sales fell by 21% after the country reached the annual Chinese quota for beef imports without additional tariffs.
The prices of various cuts of beef and pork declined in Brazil between January and July, during a period marked by a slowdown in Brazilian beef exports. Chuck saw the largest decline among the mentioned cuts, falling by 3.90%, while sirloin became 2.77% cheaper and pork experienced an 8.11% reduction.
According to a report published by Extra on September 3, 2026, the price data comes from the Supermarket Price Index, known as IPS, developed by the São Paulo Supermarket Association (APAS) in partnership with the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV). The publication also links the trend to the slowdown in external sales after Brazil hit the Chinese beef import quota without additional tariffs.
Chuck saw a 3.90% drop between January and July
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The chuck led the reductions among the beef cuts highlighted in the survey.
From January to July, the price dropped by 3.90%, the largest decline among the cuts mentioned by the IPS.
Sirloin became 2.77% cheaper
The sirloin followed closely behind in the survey.
This cut recorded a 2.77% price drop over the same period, contributing to the relief observed in beef prices for consumers.
Top Round Dropped 2.45% and Rump Cap Fell 1.76%
Other beef cuts also became cheaper.
The top round experienced a 2.45% drop, while the rump cap fell by 1.76% between January and July.
Pettitoes and Tenderloin Also Recorded Reductions
The downward trend extended to cuts with different consumption profiles.
The pettitoes became 1.39% cheaper, and the tenderloin saw a reduction of 1.30% during the analyzed period.
Pork Accumulated an 8.11% Drop
Price reductions were not limited to beef.
According to the survey mentioned by the source, pork prices fell 8.11% year-to-date.
The decline was primarily driven by two cuts that saw decreases of more than 10%.
Bone-in ham dropped 13.52%
The bone-in ham showed the largest reduction among the pork cuts mentioned.
The price fell 13.52%, significantly higher than the retractions observed in the main beef cuts presented in the survey.
Bone-in loin became 10.16% cheaper
The bone-in loin also saw a double-digit drop.
The accumulated decline reached 10.16%, reinforcing the reduction observed in pork throughout the year.
APAS economist sees relief for consumers
APAS chief economist Felipe Queiroz highlighted the impact of these price drops on family budgets.
“It’s an important relief for the wallets of Brazilian consumers, especially for cuts that are part of everyday meals, like chuck and sirloin,” he stated.
July exports totaled US$ 1.4 billion
The slowdown in external sales emerges as another significant element of the scenario.
Data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat, Secex, shows that after a semester of consecutive records, Brazilian beef exports totaled US$ 1.4 billion in July.
The report indicates this amount as equivalent to approximately R$ 7.13 billion.
External sales fell 21% compared to June
The July result marked a shift from the previous month.
Exports dropped 21% compared to June, ending the streak of record performance mentioned by the source.
The reduction in sales to China is cited as a central factor for this slowdown.
Brazil reached the Chinese quota of 1.1 million tons
In July, Brazil reached the annual quota set by China for importing beef without additional charges.
The limit is set at 1.1 million tons.
Once this volume is reached, exports above the quota face different tariff conditions.
Exceeding amounts incur an additional 55% tariff
The Chinese rule calls for charges on volumes exceeding the quota.
According to the source, any excess over 1.1 million tons is subject to an additional 55% tariff to enter the Chinese market.
This mechanism affected the conditions of Brazilian sales to its main external buyer.
Less exports may increase supply in the domestic market
Felipe Queiroz connected the slowdown in exports to greater availability of meat within Brazil.
“The scenario in July shows how the external and internal markets are connected. When exports slow down, more meat is available here, which translates into more accessible prices for those shopping at the supermarket,” he explained.
This assessment comes from the chief economist of APAS and supports the relationship presented by the source between export pace and internal prices.
China imported 1.68 million tons in 2025
The significance of the Chinese market is evident in the numbers from the previous year.
In 2025, China imported a record volume of 1.68 million tons of Brazilian beef.
This total accounted for 48% of all the protein Brazil exported abroad, according to data presented in the report.
Beijing remains the largest buyer of Brazilian beef
China is identified by the source as the largest buyer of beef from Brazil.
Therefore, changes in the pace of Chinese purchases have a significant impact on the flow of Brazilian exports and, according to an assessment by APAS, could also affect product availability in the domestic market.
The expectation is for sales to resume in November
The report states that the expectation is for sales to regain strength only in November.
This period would start to fall under the 2027 quota, according to the projection presented by the source.
Until then, the market continues to deal with the effects of the already reached annual quota and the additional tariff applied to the excess.
Lower prices coincide with a slowdown in exports
Between January and July, chuck prices fell 3.90%, sirloin prices 2.77%, and pork prices 8.11%, while July registered a 21% decline in Brazilian beef exports compared to June.
With the Chinese quota of 1.1 million tons without additional tariff already reached and excess subject to a 55% charge, the expectation cited by the report is for sales to resume only in November.
In your opinion, should the decrease in exports continue to help lower meat prices in supermarkets, or is this relief likely to be temporary? Share your thoughts in the comments.
