After looking at the major sources and exporters of beef and veal, we’re turning the lens the other way around to look at the biggest importers: i.e. who is driving this demand? In the following chart, data from Brazil is used specifically, as the world’s biggest exporter of beef.
Statistics published by the Associação Brasileira das Indústrias Exportadoras de Carnes shows that it is rich and populous nations such as China, the United States and the European Union bloc that are ordering the most beef. China was by far Brazil’s largest import partner for beef and veal in 2022, with nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars worth of the product exported there that year (latest available data). China has been increasing its beef consumption in recent years due to urbanization, rising incomes and changing dietary habits. At the same time, Beijing and Brasilia have developed strong trade ties over the past years. In a World Economic Forum report released this past Tuesday, it highlighted how China made up 27 percent of Brazil’s overall export share in 2022.
Trailing some way behind China is the United States, with around $900 million worth of Brazilan beef and veal exported there. The U.S. is itself a major producer and exporter of beef and principally sells most of its own beef domestically. The European Union comes in third position, with around $661 million worth of imports.
