7 Countries That Export the Most Beef in the World

Beef is one of the most consumed meats in the world, with a global production of over 72 million metric tons in 2022. But which countries are the biggest exporters of beef in the world? In this article, we will look at the top seven beef exporting countries based on their trade value in 2022, according to Statista.

Brazil

Brazil is the largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 9.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Brazil has a large cattle herd of about 232 million head, and produces about 10.5 million metric tons of beef and veal annually. Brazil exports beef to more than 150 countries, with China, Hong Kong, Egypt and Chile being the main destinations. Brazil is known for its grass-fed beef, which is considered healthier and more sustainable than grain-fed beef.

Germany

Germany is the second-largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Germany produces about 1.1 million metric tons of beef and veal annually, and exports mainly to other European countries, such as Italy, France, the Netherlands and Poland. Germany is also a major importer of beef, mainly from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Australia

Australia is the third-largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 7.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Australia has a cattle herd of about 25 million head, and produces about 2.4 million metric tons of beef and veal annually. Australia exports beef to more than 100 countries, with Japan, China, South Korea and the United States being the main markets. Australia is known for its high-quality beef, especially its Wagyu beef, which is prized for its marbling and tenderness.

United States

The United States is the fourth-largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 7 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. The United States has a cattle herd of about 94 million head, and produces about 12.5 million metric tons of beef and veal annually. The United States exports beef to more than 130 countries, with Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Canada being the main destinations. The United States is also the largest consumer of beef in the world, with an average per capita consumption of about 27 kilograms per year.

India

India is the fifth-largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 4 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. India has a cattle population of about 305 million head, and produces about 4.3 million metric tons of beef and veal annually. India exports mainly buffalo meat, also known as carabeef, to more than 70 countries, with Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt and Indonesia being the main buyers. India has a large vegetarian population and a ban on cow slaughter in most states, which limits its domestic consumption of beef.

Canada

Canada is the sixth-largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 3 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Canada has a cattle herd of about 11.6 million head, and produces about 1.3 million metric tons of beef and veal annually. Canada exports beef to more than 50 countries, with the United States, Japan, China and Mexico being the main markets. Canada is also a major importer of beef, mainly from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Argentina

Argentina is the seventh-largest exporter of beef in the world, with a trade value of 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Argentina has a cattle herd of about 54 million head, and produces about 3 million metric tons of beef and veal annually. Argentina exports beef to more than 60 countries, with China, Chile, Israel and Brazil being the main destinations. Argentina is famous for its grass-fed beef, which is cooked on open fire grills called asados.

Beef is a valuable commodity in the global market, with a total trade value of over 40 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. The top seven exporters of beef are Brazil, Germany, Australia, the United States, India, Canada and Argentina, which together account for over 80% of the global beef exports. These countries have different production systems, quality standards and market preferences for their beef products.

The Biggest Exporters of Beef in the World

Beef is one of the most consumed meats in the world, with a global production of about 72 million metric tons in 2022. The demand for beef is driven by various factors, such as income growth, population growth, urbanization, dietary preferences, and trade policies. In this blog post, we will look at the top exporters of beef in the world and how the global demand for beef has changed over time.

Brazil: The Leading Beef Exporter

Brazil is forecast to be the biggest exporter of beef and veal in the world in 2022, with an export volume of 2.6 million metric tons. Brazil has a large cattle herd of about 215 million head, which is the second-largest in the world after India. Brazil produces and exports large quantities of beef as well as processed meat products, such as canned meat, sausages, and jerky. Brazil’s main export markets are China, Hong Kong, Egypt, Chile, and Saudi Arabia.

Brazil’s beef exports have increased significantly in recent years, thanks to its competitive advantages in terms of low production costs, abundant land and water resources, favorable climate conditions, and improved sanitary standards. Brazil has also benefited from the opening of new markets, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as the expansion of existing markets, such as China and the Middle East.

United States: The Second-Largest Beef Exporter

The United States is expected to be the second-largest exporter of beef and veal in the world in 2022, with an export volume of 1.5 million metric tons. The United States has a large and efficient beef industry, with a cattle inventory of about 94 million head. The United States produces and exports high-quality beef products, such as fresh, chilled, frozen, and cooked beef. The United States’ main export destinations are Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, and Taiwan.

The United States’ beef exports have recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the supply chain and reduced the consumer demand in 2020. The United States’ beef exports have also benefited from the lower tariffs and improved market access under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. The United States’ beef exports are expected to grow further in 2023, as the global demand for beef recovers from the pandemic.

Australia: The Third-Largest Beef Exporter

Australia is projected to be the third-largest exporter of beef and veal in the world in 2022, with an export volume of 1.4 million metric tons. Australia has a large cattle herd of about 25 million head, which is mainly composed of grass-fed cattle. Australia produces and exports premium beef products, such as grass-fed, organic, halal, and wagyu beef. Australia’s main export markets are Japan, China, South Korea, the United States, and Indonesia.

Australia’s beef exports have declined slightly in recent years, due to the drought conditions that reduced the cattle production and increased the slaughter rates. Australia’s beef exports have also faced some challenges in the Chinese market, due to the trade tensions between the two countries that resulted in higher tariffs and stricter inspections. However, Australia’s beef exports are expected to rebound in 2023, as the cattle herd rebuilds and the demand from other markets increases.

References:

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.GSR.GNFS.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true

https://knoema.com//atlas/Taiwan-Province-of-China/topics/Foreign-Trade/Export/Exports-of-goods-and-services

https://www.statista.com/statistics/917207/top-exporters-of-beef-global/
https://www.statista.com/chart/19122/biggest-exporters-of-beef/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/2336385-korean-nuclear-fusion-reactor-achieves-100-millionc-for-30-seconds/
https://blog.bizvibe.com/blog/food-beverages/top-20-worlds-largest-beef-exporters

http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/5/421245

https://blog.bizvibe.com/blog/food-beverages/top-20-worlds-largest-beef-exporters

http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/5/421245

https://www.statista.com/chart/19122/biggest-exporters-of-beef/