The Global Livestock Report

Beef (primarily carabeef, meat derived from Asian domestic water buffalo) production in India in 2026 is expected to be driven by domestic needs while export demand is likely to take a back seat, projected the USDA office in New Delhi. 2026 beef production is forecast at 4.7 million metric tons, up one percent from 4.6 million in 2025. 2026 beef exports are forecast to reach 1.55 million tons, up by one percent over 2025.

Beef production in Chile is projected to remain steady in 2026 at 200,000 tons carcass weight, constrained by drought and competition from imports, which meet 70 percent of domestic consumption, said the USDA office in Santiago de Chile.

Cattle prices maintained their firm trend last week, with a list price of US$ 4.45 per kg for regular steers and US$ 4.15 for fat cows, although one operator said it was common to close deals for steers between US$ 4.50 and US$ 4.60 per kg.

After the May peak, cattle slaughter at Paraguay’s export-oriented slaughterhouses was lower year-on-year during the June–August quarter. Senacsa reported that in August, 181,006 head of cattle were slaughtered at export plants, down more than 22,000 head from the previous month and 12,000 fewer than in the same month of 2024.

Despite several of Paraguay’s traditional beef destinations reducing their import volumes, Paraguayan beef exports increased 12% in the year through August.

Export cattle prices jumped again. For steers, prices aligned between higher-quality crossbred fat steers and indicus-cross cattle: in both cases, the range moved to Ar$ 5,900–6,100 per kilo carcass weight.