Calf and lean cattle prices outpace fed cattle in Brazil
Rising replacement costs squeeze farmers as supply stays tight
13 November 2025
1 minute read
By: Calf and lean cattle prices have risen faster than fed cattle in Brazil, tightening margins for backgrounding farmers and lifting production costs for the next cycle, according to Cepea. Firm demand and limited supply continue to support the market.
In Triângulo Mineiro (MG), farmers needed an average of 9.92 fed cattle arrobas to buy one calf in late October, 5.4% more than in September and 41% higher than a year earlier. In Presidente Prudente (SP), 13.62 arrobas were needed to buy one lean animal, up 1.3% month-on-month and 8.3% year-on-year.
Fed cattle prices also rose in October, driven by tight supply and buyers seeking to close deals. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index for São Paulo closed the month at BRL 318.85 per arroba, up 4.85% from September 30.
Melanie Epp
Melanie Epp is a freelance agricultural journalist from Ontario, Canada.
