The annual import quota has now been reached, prompting the ministry to notify suppliers and industry professionals on October 15 that the allocation was closed. The quota covered both cattle already imported and animals included in tax exemptions that were still valid.
Tax exemptions to facilitate imports
The government suspended customs duties and value-added tax on imports of up to 300,000 live cattle for slaughter through December 31, 2026. The measure was introduced in response to rising red meat prices, which have been driven by severe drought, a shrinking herd and the rising cost and limited availability of livestock feed.
Some farmers have also slaughtered breeding cows, further reducing the supply of animals available for meat production.
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The import scheme was open to suppliers and industry professionals without requiring prior authorization. The ministry announced the procedure on its online portal on February 2, 2026. Applications for customs exemptions were submitted through the PortNet platform and processed in the order received, in less than 24 hours. Each exemption was valid for one month.
Brazil dominates the supply
Monthly imports averaged around 24,000 head, although volumes varied considerably. More than 44,000 cattle were imported in June and July, compared with around 17,000 in August and September.
A total of 37 supplier companies have participated in the operation. Brazil accounted for more than 90% of the imported cattle, largely because it had more readily available supplies than European countries.
Imports also saw increased demand in October following the opening of Portuguese markets, whose geographical proximity made them an additional source of supply.
The operation was intended to keep red meat available on the domestic market and help stabilize prices amid pressure on local livestock production.
