International Livestock Production and Trade Trends(Sep 24)

International Livestock Production and Trade Trends — August 2026

1. Production, Trade, and Prices in Major Countries

Pork:

In terms of production, US pork output in July reached 990,000 tons, up 1.5% year-on-year; cumulative January–July output reached 7.23 million tons, up 1.1%.

In terms of trade, US pork exports in July declined year-on-year while Brazilian pork exports grew. For the United States, July pork exports reached 240,000 tons, down 4.2% year-on-year, including 13,000 tons to China, down 2.5%. Cumulative January–July exports reached 1.873 million tons, up 2.4%, including 97,000 tons to China, down 0.9%. For Brazil, July pork exports reached 129,000 tons, up 14.0% year-on-year, including 9,000 tons to China, down 24.2%. Cumulative January–July exports reached 903,000 tons.

In terms of prices, US pork in August was priced at USD 2.20/kg, down 13.1% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 14.86/kg. Brazilian pork was priced at BRL 7.41/kg, down 42.4% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 9.69/kg. EU pork was priced at EUR 1.60/kg, down 20.5% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 12.52/kg.

Poultry:

In terms of production, US poultry meat output in July reached 2.197 million tons, up 4.7% year-on-year. Cumulative January–July output reached 14.559 million tons, up 4.5%.

In terms of trade, both US and Brazilian chicken exports grew year-on-year in July. For the United States, July chicken exports reached 252,000 tons, up 2.8% year-on-year, including 3,000 tons to China, down 1.9%. Cumulative January–July exports reached 1.716 million tons, up 0.5%, including 30,000 tons to China, up 40.1%. For Brazil, July chicken exports reached 505,000 tons, up 30.8% year-on-year, including 71,000 tons to China, up 126,710.5%. Cumulative January–July exports reached 3.366 million tons.

In terms of prices, US chicken in August was priced at USD 2.58/kg, down 1.6% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 19.47/kg. Brazilian chicken was priced at BRL 7.18/kg, down 1.4% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 9.39/kg. EU chicken was priced at EUR 2.84/kg, down 5.6% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 22.14/kg.

Beef:

In terms of production, US beef output in July reached 933,000 tons, down 4.6% year-on-year. Cumulative January–July output reached 6.432 million tons, down 5.3%.

In terms of trade, US beef exports declined year-on-year in July, while Brazilian and Australian beef exports grew. For the United States, July beef exports reached 90,000 tons, down 5.5% year-on-year, including 3,000 tons to China, up 143.6%. Cumulative January–July exports reached 624,000 tons, down 14.3%, including 8,000 tons to China, down 88.6%. For Brazil, July beef exports reached 228,000 tons, down 17.8% year-on-year, including 83,000 tons to China, down 47.8%.

Mutton:

Australian mutton exports in June reached 43,000 tons (sheep meat 38,000 tons, goat meat 5,000 tons), down 19.9% year-on-year, including 10,000 tons to China, down 2.0%. Cumulative January–June exports reached 267,000 tons, down 19.9%, including 54,000 tons to China, down 26.7%.

In terms of prices, Australian mutton in August 2026 was priced at USD 7.91/kg, up 2.8% year-on-year, equivalent to RMB 53.31/kg.

2. International Livestock Product Price Index

In August 2026, the FAO Meat Price Index rose slightly, with beef prices declining while pork, poultry, and mutton prices increased. The FAO Meat Price Index (base period 2014–2016) rebounded after falling to 108.86 in January 2024, reaching 127.90 in July 2026, up 1.0% month-on-month and up 0.1% year-on-year.

Specifically, for pork: influenced by EU pork prices, the pork price index rose to 100.03, up 2.8% month-on-month but down 12.6% year-on-year (the fifth consecutive month below the same period last year). For poultry: influenced by Brazilian and US poultry prices, the poultry price index rose to 123.62, up 4.6% month-on-month and up 8.4% year-on-year (the fifth consecutive month above the same period last year). For beef: influenced by Brazilian, Australian, and US beef prices, the beef price index fell slightly to 147.26, down 2.1% month-on-month but up 2.1% year-on-year (the 34th consecutive month above the same period last year).