The Brazilian State That Has More Cattle Than Australia and Argentina Combined — And Leads the Country's Herd With 32.8 Million Cattle

The Brazilian State That Has More Cattle Than Australia and Argentina Combined — And Leads the Country’s Herd With 32.8 Million Cattle

Written by Valdemar Medeiros

Published on 17/07/2025 at 15:17

Foto: O estado brasileiro que tem mais gado do que a Austrália e Argentina inteira — e lidera o rebanho do país com 32,8 milhões de bovinos

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Mato Grosso Has The Largest Cattle Herd In Brazil, With 32.8 Million Head — More Than Australia And Argentina. See How The State Became A Global Power In Livestock.

With an impressive number of 32.8 million cattle in 2024, the state of Mato Grosso not only leads the Brazilian herd ranking but also comfortably surpasses traditionally cattle-rearing countries like Australia and Argentina. This achievement was confirmed by updated data from the Mato Grosso Agricultural Defense Institute (INDEA-MT) and the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economy (IMEA), revealing the state’s prominence in global beef production.

If it were a nation, Mato Grosso would rank among the seven largest cattle producers in the world. It would surpass Australia, with about 22.3 million head, and even Argentina, with approximately 31.9 million — data from FAO, a UN agency specialized in food and agriculture. This comparison reinforces the strength of Brazilian livestock and the central role that Mato Grosso plays in global food security.

A Colossus Of Global — And National — Livestock

On Brazilian soil, Mato Grosso’s leadership is equally remarkable. See how the state stands in relation to others in the national cattle herd ranking:

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Position	State	Herd (Millions)
1st	Mato Grosso	32.8
2nd	Minas Gerais	23.5
3rd	Goiás	22.1
4th	Pará	22.0
5th	Mato Grosso do Sul	21.8
6th	São Paulo	10.5
7th	Bahia	9.8
8th	Rondônia	8.6
9th	Maranhão	7.5
10th	Tocantins	7.3

Large-Scale Production With Responsibility

The success of Mato Grosso’s livestock not only lies in quantity. What really impresses is the quality of management and the degree of technological innovation adopted on properties. Mato Grosso brings together:

Large Areas Of Rotational Pastures
Integrated production systems, such as ILPF (Integration Of Crops, Livestock, And Forestry)
Use Of Efficient Feedlots
Adoption Of Digital Tools For Health Monitoring
Full Animal Traceability, From Farm To Slaughterhouse

With these practices, the state not only maintains a healthy herd but also guarantees high productivity with low environmental impact, a differential increasingly valued by international markets.

Moreover, the use of cutting-edge genetics, balanced nutrition, and precision management has made the beef produced in Mato Grosso a premium product by global standards, even when intended for large-scale export.

Surpassing Entire Nations: The Case Of Australia

It is impossible to ignore the symbolism of a Brazilian state surpassing the entire Australia in the number of cattle. Australia is historically recognized as a livestock power, with substantial exports to Asian countries and a highly professionalized industry.

However, Mato Grosso alone surpasses this volume — and continues to advance in certifications, animal welfare, emission reductions, and efficient use of natural resources. This demonstrates that Brazil is not just a supplier of animal protein but a model of sustainable scale and efficiency, capable of competing (and winning) in global arenas.

Imac And The Valorization Of “Meat With Identity”

One of the pillars of this valorization is the work of the Mato Grosso Institute of Meat (Imac), which promotes the state’s beef both in Brazil and abroad. Imac not only reinforces the origin and traceability of products but also invests in actions to establish Mato Grosso as a recognized quality brand internationally.

The idea of “meat with identity” has been well received in demanding markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, which increasingly require transparency throughout the chain — something Mato Grosso offers with excellence.

The global scenario points to an increase in demand for animal proteins, especially in developing countries. At the same time, there is growing pressure for sustainability, emission reductions, and respect for the environment. Mato Grosso is at the center of this equation: it is the largest producer but also one of the most modernized and adaptable to new demands.

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Investments in Biotechnology, Green Credit, Environmental Certifications, and Digitization of Livestock are trends that are already part of the daily life of Mato Grosso properties. The state also leads research to increase feed efficiency and reduce methane emissions from cattle, actively contributing to international climate goals.

Exports: Mato Grosso Beef Around The World

With this favorable scenario, the beef exports from Mato Grosso continue to accelerate. The state is the national leader in this regard, with a strong presence in markets such as:

China (the main destination for Brazilian beef)
Egypt
United Arab Emirates
Chile
Iran
Hong Kong

With robust logistical infrastructure — including roads integrated with BR-163, dry ports, and slaughterhouses with SIF certification for export — the state can quickly ship its production abroad, ensuring speed, freshness, and price competitiveness.

Mato Grosso Is The Biggest Asset Of Brazilian Beef

Having more cattle than Australia and Argentina is not just a statistical curiosity — it is proof that Brazil has the real capacity to feed the world, and Mato Grosso is at the forefront of this mission. With technology, modern management, and a commitment to sustainability, the state shows that it is possible to produce more and better, even in the face of challenges related to climate, logistics, and global demands.

While many countries reduce their herds due to lack of pasture or environmental pressure, Mato Grosso grows in a planned manner, consolidating itself as a global agricultural powerhouse. The beef from Mato Grosso is now synonymous with trust, and the herd of 32.8 million head is just the beginning of a story that promises to grow even more.

Sources: INDEA-MT, IMEA, and FAO (2023–2024). Base year: 2024.

The Brazilian State That Has More Cattle Than Australia and Argentina Combined — And Leads the Country’s Herd With 32.8 Million Cattle

Mato Grosso Has The Largest Cattle Herd In Brazil, With 32.8 Million Head — More Than Australia And Argentina. See How The State Became A Global Power In Livestock.

A Colossus Of Global — And National — Livestock

Large-Scale Production With Responsibility

Surpassing Entire Nations: The Case Of Australia

Imac And The Valorization Of “Meat With Identity”

Exports: Mato Grosso Beef Around The World

Mato Grosso Is The Biggest Asset Of Brazilian Beef

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The Brazilian State That Has More Cattle Than Australia and Argentina Combined — And Leads the Country’s Herd With 32.8 Million Cattle

Mato Grosso Has The Largest Cattle Herd In Brazil, With 32.8 Million Head — More Than Australia And Argentina. See How The State Became A Global Power In Livestock.

A Colossus Of Global — And National — Livestock

Large-Scale Production With Responsibility

Surpassing Entire Nations: The Case Of Australia

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Exports: Mato Grosso Beef Around The World

Mato Grosso Is The Biggest Asset Of Brazilian Beef

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