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Brazilian beef exports closed April on a dynamic note, both in terms of volume and average shipment value.

Frigorífico Sirsil recently formalized the incorporation of two new Brazilian shareholders into its industrial operation. According to WBR, negotiations are well advanced for 100% of the company’s shares —currently owned by Uruguayan businessman Néstor Larrosa— to change hands.

Minerva Foods started 2026 with an optimistic view of the global animal protein market, supported by a combination of tight supply, firm international demand, and greater commercial arbitrage capacity following the integration of the plants acquired from Marfrig. While presenting its first-quarter results, CEO Fernando Galletti de Queiroz said the company is entering the year “focused on opportunities” amid growing geopolitical and commercial complexity.

The need to increase operating pace due to the resumption of kosher slaughter, along with weather-related complications caused by excessive rainfall, provided strong support for cattle prices for immediate delivery.

Paraguayan beef exports declined 25% year-on-year in the first four months of the year, in line with the 24% annual drop in slaughter.

The sharp reduction in cattle demand from export processors caused slaughter activity to collapse in April.

According to Senacsa data, export plants slaughtered 105,315 cattle, nearly 55,000 head fewer than in March and 66,000 below April 2025.

Export cattle values generally remained within the ranges seen the previous week. British-breed cross steers, with better beef quality, continued trading between Ar$ 7,900 and 8,200 per kg carcass weight, while zebu-cross steers remained between Ar$ 7,800 and 8,000.

As of April 30, Argentina had executed 30,790 tons of the 2026 US beef tariff quota, which totals 100,000 tons, for a value of US$ 259.5 million.

The tour organized by the Argentine government together with the IPCVA in the United States took place at the ideal moment and left participating companies satisfied, according to firms consulted by World Beef Report (WBR).

Unlike previous years, with two months remaining before the end of the 2025/26 quota cycle, Argentina had already executed 27,774 tons of the Hilton quota to the European Union, equivalent to 94.5% of the total allocation.

Although there are expectations that the upward trend in prices may begin to slow, limited supply means that buying interest — while not particularly aggressive — remains sufficient to keep the market under pressure.

The main cuts traditionally consumed during the May 1 holiday enjoyed extraordinary demand and virtually no inventories remained, leading butcher shops and supermarkets to request additional product as early as Saturday, May 2, to supply consumers over the weekend.

A decree signed by President Yamandú Orsi and Agriculture Minister Alfredo Fratti updates the regulatory framework for the detection and control of “veterinary drug residues, pesticides and environmental contaminants” in products of animal origin.

Slaughter cattle prices fell for the second consecutive week, pressured by cautious demand and a supply that has started to increase.

After two weeks of correction, the average cattle value in the region trended upward, driven by exchange rate appreciation in Brazil and Argentina and higher references in Paraguay and Uruguay.

An exporter described a Chilean market with firm prices, but undergoing an important change in commercial dynamics, especially regarding financing conditions.

The MENA region has lost relevance for Brazil due to the war, with Iran having practically disappeared from the market. Nevertheless, as an important alternative market, one trader highlighted Algeria.

Year 0 of the new Mercosur-European Union beef quota is already underway. In calendar year 2026 (May-December), there will be an available quota of 6,050 tons carcass weight of chilled beef and 4,950 tons of frozen beef (11,000 tons in total), allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Most Argentine exporters have already exhausted or are close to exhausting their Hilton quota for the 2025/26 cycle, which ends on June 30. In this context, rump & loin deals outside quota last week were closed around US$/t 16,800-17,300 FOB, equivalent to approximately US$/t 22,500-23,000 FOB within the Hilton quota.

“The United States and Canada are very quiet,” commented a Chilean exporter, although Canada has shown a somewhat higher level of activity. As a reference, he mentioned values around US$/t 7,550 for Canadian 90 CL, while 80 CL is trading around US$/t 6,000 CFR.