Cattle Slaughter Rises to 10.72M Head While Poultry Declines

The volume of cattle slaughtered under sanitary inspection reached 10.72 million head in the second quarter of 2026, highlighting a strong supply dynamic in the beef sector in direct contrast to the contraction observed in poultry production during the same period. This industrial shift alters short-term fundamentals for animal proteins traded on the exchange, requiring investors to accurately assess logistical bottlenecks and input costs that directly impact the margins of companies listed on B3. The disparity between cattle growth and poultry decline reflects distinct operational pressures across supply chains, ranging from grain costs to international demand for fresh and processed meat. As the market absorbs these IBGE data, the foreign exchange scenario shows the commercial Dollar quoted at R$ 5.2043, recording a 2.23% positive variation in its 7-day trend compared to R$ 5.091 at the start of the period, while maintaining a 0.06% stability over the 30-day window anchored at R$ 5.201. This currency fluctuation adds an important layer of competitiveness for beef exporters, who find the current exchange rate a buffer against potential fluctuations in domestic consumer prices. Simultaneously, the Selic rate remains parked at 14.00% per year, unchanged across 7- and 30-day windows, keeping the cost of capital high for companies reliant on intensive financing for inventory and cold storage capacity expansion.