MERCOSUR: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR beef market totaled $X in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, beef production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest beef producing country in MERCOSUR, accounting for 62% of total volume. Moreover, beef production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Argentina (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Colombia (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Brazil was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (+1.6% per year) and Colombia (-1.2% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of beef (cattle meat) in MERCOSUR amounted to X kg per head, picking up by 1.9% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the yield increased by 15%. The level of yield peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global number of animals slaughtered for beef production declined slightly to X heads in 2021, which is down by -3.9% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, the number of producing animals saw a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 4.4% against the previous year. As a result, the number of animals produced reached the peak level of X heads. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of this number remained at a lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

Beef exports reached X tons in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +70.2% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 21%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, beef exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +89.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) was the largest exporter of beef (cattle meat), mixing up 52% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons), together committing a 46% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to beef exports from Brazil stood at +5.7%. At the same time, Argentina (+19.2%), Colombia (+11.2%), Uruguay (+8.1%) and Paraguay (+6.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +19.2% from 2012-2021. While the share of Argentina (+11 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Brazil (-10.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest beef supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil totaled +6.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (+11.7% per year) and Uruguay (+6.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Uruguay ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) and Argentina ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Beef Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, imports of beef (cattle meat) in MERCOSUR soared to X tons, picking up by 28% on 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +58.4% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X tons) represented the largest importer of beef (cattle meat), comprising 77% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Uruguay (6.7%). Peru (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Chile increased at an average annual rate of +13.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Uruguay (+54.3%) and Peru (+6.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +54.3% from 2012-2021. Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Chile and Uruguay increased by +42 and +6.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported beef (cattle meat) in MERCOSUR, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 5.8% share.

In Chile, beef imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (-0.7% per year) and Uruguay (+51.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, rising by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Peru ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton), while Uruguay ($X per ton) and Chile ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform