Turkey becomes Brazil's largest cattle buyer: $904 million in 7 months

Turkey became Brazil's single largest buyer of live cattle in the first seven months of 2026, importing 299,282 head from the country. According to data from Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, and based on reporting by tarımdanhaber.com and assessments by Agricultural Policy Expert Ergin Kahveci, Turkey accounted for 40.2% of Brazil's total seven-month export volume of 743,660 head.

Overall live cattle imports reached 177,265 tons during this period — an 18.3% year-on-year increase — while the total bill for those imports came to $904.6 million. Some 98.8% of Brazil's total live cattle exports are destined for Middle Eastern markets, and Turkey alone absorbed 40% of Brazil's entire export volume.

The numbers lay bare the scale of the structural deficit created by misguided agricultural and livestock policies. Domestic shortages of slaughter-ready animals continue to keep red meat prices under pressure, while Turkey's foreign currency expenditure grows year after year. According to Kahveci, the situation is a clear sign that Turkey is being pulled toward a market structure condemned to imports rather than domestic production.