Australia is no longer the biggest supplier of imported beef to the United States. For more than 40 years, Australia has remained the main source of imported beef for the US.
Brazil claimed the top position as imports from the South American nation increased dramatically. The performance of Brazilian beef imports is attributed to a huge deficit in US beef production and the Trump tariffs.
Brazilian beef exports to the US in March were 61,000 tonnes compared to 54,000 tonnes imported from Australia. Brazil operates under the strict ‘Other Country’ quota into the United States and has filled the entire quota for the calendar year by January.
Brazilian beef imports are filling a huge reduction in US domestic production. Brazilian beef is largely accepted in food service and manufacturing channels compared to the retail sector.
Brazilian beef imports to the US have posted steady growth in the last three years. The increased business has come in addition to Australian beef imports, but not at their expense.
With the US herd rebuild projected to take another 3-5 years, Brazilian beef imports will fill a significant portion of the US beef market.