USDA forecasts a small decline in global beef and veal production and exports in 2027.
Global production and exports
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service outlook dated 9 October 2026 forecasts global beef and veal production of 60.223 million metric tonnes carcass weight equivalent (CWE) in 2026 and 60.031 million tonnes in 2027. Forecast exports move from 13.968 million to 13.885 million tonnes CWE.
Country forecasts differ
The same tables forecast Argentina production rising from 3.050 million to 3.140 million tonnes CWE. Brazil moves from 12.150 million to 11.950 million tonnes. Changes across countries offset one another in the global total. The accompanying chart shows forecast tonnage, not livestock prices or animal numbers.