Cattle producers

Country-level production data for cattle.

RankCountryProduction (MT)Share %Notes
1India3,750,0005.5305-310M head population (largest globally) but mostly dairy/draft - Hindu religious restrictions on beef. Buffalo carabeef exports dominant.
2Brazil10,750,00014.5230-235M head. Record production 11+ MMT. Export-oriented (60% production, 27% exported). Nelore breed ~80% of national herd.
6Argentina3,100,0004.252-54M head. Herd liquidation concerns. Government export restrictions to control domestic inflation. Hilton Quota EU premium grass-fed.
7Australia2,200,000324-26M head. Herd recovery from drought. 65-70% exported. MSA grading + grass-fed dominant.
9Pakistan2,300,0003.150-52M head. Buffalo dominant.
10Russia1,650,0002.318-19M head
11Turkey1,550,0002.117-18M head
12Canada1,350,0001.811-12M head. ~30% exported, primarily to USA.
13New Zealand750,00019-10M head. ~75% exported. Premium grass-fed.
14Uruguay650,0000.911-12M head. ~75% exported. Grass-fed premium quality.

Major importers

  • China 100-105M head. Growing domestic production but largest net importer.
  • USA 93-95M head. Herd rebuilding phase post-drought 2021-23 (down 5%). Premium grain-fed feedlot system. ~10% exported.
  • EU-27 86-88M head. Mixed system. Net importer. Hormone-treated USA/CA/AU beef excluded.
  • Mexico 17-18M head. Major feeder cattle exporter to USA.
  • China World's largest beef importer. Structural demand growth driven by rising incomes + protein consumption shift.
  • USA Lean beef for grinding to mix with high-fat domestic
  • Japan Premium grain-fed/Wagyu preference
  • South Korea
  • Hong Kong/Macau Re-export to mainland China
  • Egypt Indian buffalo carabeef primary source