| Rank | Country | Production (MT) | Share % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 238,620,910 | 15.2 | |
| 2 | Brazil | 12.5 | 16 | Predominantly pasture-based; the world’s largest beef exporter by volume, supplying both premium and commodity markets but vulnerable to sanitary bans and deforestation scrutiny.[6][9] |
| 2 | India | 194,539,444 | 12.4 | |
| 5 | India | 6.2 | 8 | Exports mainly buffalo meat (carabeef) for low- to mid-priced markets; domestic consumption constrained by cultural and religious factors.[9] |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 69,318,245 | 4.4 | |
| 6 | Australia | 2.7 | 3.5 | Highly export-oriented, grass- and grain-fed; herd cycles strongly driven by drought and rainfall; important supplier of chilled and frozen beef into Asian and US markets.[6][10] |
Major importers
- United States Large grain-fed feedlot industry; high per-capita consumption; exports about 14% of production with a focus on high-value chilled and frozen cuts.[2][7][9]
- China Large but still deficit domestic supply; rapid demand growth has made China the single largest beef importer, sourcing heavily from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand.[6][9]
- European Union (27) Mixed dairy-beef system; largely self-sufficient with modest net trade; tightly regulated on animal welfare, traceability and environmental standards.[1][9]
- USA
- China