By Roberto Samora
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazil's beef exports to China rose 38.3% in September from a year earlier, reaching 187,340 tonnes, industry group Abrafrigo said on Wednesday, helping push total monthly exports to a record high.
China is the largest market for Brazilian beef, and has increased purchases as part of its broader strategy to avoid agricultural goods from the United States amid an ongoing trade dispute.
Global demand for beef has helped Brazil offset the impact of U.S. tariffs on
its exports, Abrafrigo said. In August, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on shipments of several Brazilian goods, including beef, which already had a 26.4% tax levy.
Latin America's largest economy has been expanding exports to both new and traditional markets amid a global trade reshuffle triggered by U.S. tariffs, with similar trends also seen in soybean exports, which also reached record volumes.
Total beef exports, including fresh and processed meat, edible offal, and tallow, generated $1.92 billion in revenue in September, with volumes reaching 373,867 tonnes, up 49% in value and 17% in volume year-on-year.
"This strong performance came in the second month of additional tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Brazilian products, showing the sector's resilience and ability to seize new commercial opportunities," Abrafrigo said.
Exports to the U.S., Brazil's second-largest beef market year-to-date, fell 41% in September to $102.9 million.
The European Union became the second-largest destination last month, led by Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. EU purchases totaled $131.7 million, up 106% from a year earlier.
Abrafrigo said 130 countries increased purchases of Brazilian beef this year, while 48 reduced them.
(Reporting by Roberto Samora; Writing by Isabel TelesEditing by Marguerita Choy)
