Dollar income from beef exports grew by more than 50% in the first quarter: the impact of the expansion of the quota to the United States

Only in March, Exports reached about 62 thousand tons of product weight for a value of US$ 419 million, which implied a jump of 25.1% in volume and 34% in value compared to February. And in relation to the year-on-year comparison, shipments grew by 38.5% compared to March 2025, while foreign currency income practically doubled, with an increase of 97.9%.

However, the most relevant data comes from the accumulated data between January and March. In that period, theExports totaled 164 thousand tons for a value close to US$ 1,071 million. In year-on-year terms, this represents an increase of 14.3% in volume, but a much more pronounced jump of 52.9% in value, showing that the main driver of growth was the improvement in international prices.

“The growth in exported value reflects not only greater quantities, but also a sustained recovery in prices,” he explained. Mario Ravettino, head of the ABC Consortium.

In March, andThe average export price was US$6,802 per tonwith an increase of 7.1% compared to February and 42.9% compared to a year ago. This level is close to the maximums recorded in 2022 and confirms the recovery trend that began during 2025, after a period of decline that had taken values ​​to a floor close to US$ 3,740 per ton in mid-2024. This price recomposition is what explains, to a large extent, the strong inflow of dollars observed at the beginning of the year.

Regarding destinations, China remains the main buyer, concentrating more than 60% of shipments both in March and in the accumulated quarterly. Demand from the Asian giant continues to be decisive for the business, especially in frozen cuts and products of lower relative value, although with prices that also show signs of recovery.

At the same time, other relevant markets provide dynamism and diversification. The United States consolidated itself as the second destination in March, driven by the expansion of the tariff quota, while Israel maintained a firm demand for kosher meat, with values ​​​​over US$ 10,000 per ton. For its part, Europe showed a recovery in shipments of high-value cuts, favored by good prices that accelerated compliance with the Hilton quota, and Chile showed an improvement in the demand for chilled meat.

Likewise, sales of bovine offal and preparations also contributed to the income of foreign currency, with 10.7 thousand tons exported in March for US$ 27.2 million, and a quarterly accumulated of 27.4 thousand tons for US$ 69.1 million.

Within the export complex, frozen boneless beef is consolidated as the most dynamic segment and the main generator of foreign currency. Continuing with the data from the ABC Consortium, in March 34 thousand tons were exported for a value of US$ 230 million, with an average price of US$ 6,675 per ton.

The growth was significant in both the monthly and year-on-year comparison: shipments increased by 22% compared to February and 43% compared to March 2025.

This performance was mainly driven by higher sales to the United States, from the expansion of the tariff-free quota.which expanded to 80 thousand tons, and to a lesser extent due to the sustained demand from China.

The validity of exports of 80 thousand tons without tariffs began in March and is divided into 20 thousand tons per quarter. The first quarter quota could not be met due to time issues.

In the first quarter accumulated, this segment reached 93 thousand tons exported, 17% more than in the same period last year. In terms of value, the jump is even more dramatic: generated revenues close to US$ 603 millionwhich implies an increase of 53% year-on-year.