MBRF profit jumps 27% on South American beef export surge
North American unit drags on weather woes and cattle shortage
15 May 2026
1 minute read
By: Brazilian food processor MBRF posted on Thursday a 27% increase in its first-quarter net profit, as a boost in exports from the firm's South American beef operations helped offset its flat performance in North America, reported Reuters.
MBRF, which was formed by beef company Marfrig's takeover of poultry and pork firm BRF last year, reported a net profit of 111 million reais ($22.28 million) for the January-March quarter.
The company said in its earnings report that beef operations in South America positively impacted the results, as more favourable prices and rising global demand lifted exports by 28% to 115,000 metric tons.
Net revenue in the region rose 23% to 6.15 billion reais, while core earnings, measured by adjusted EBITDA, stood at 616 million reais, up 35% year-on-year.
"These gains were achieved primarily through productivity improvements, resulting from investments, increased occupancy at our complexes, and a focus on value-added products," the company said.
North American beef operations, on the other hand, took a hit from extreme weather events and low cattle supply, bringing sales volume to 473,000 tons, a 6% drop from the same period in 2025.
Poultry and pork operations posted flat results, as sales volume dropped some 3% to 1.2 million tons, while net revenue fell 3% to 14.93 billion reais.
Despite a sharp rise in net profit, MBRF reported softer numbers across its quarterly report. Adjusted EBITDA was 3.1 billion reais, a 3% fall year-on-year. Analysts polled by LSEG expected 2.97 billion reais.
Net revenue remained roughly unchanged from a year earlier to 39.45 billion reais in the quarter and below the 40.13 billion-real forecast by analysts.
MBRF, whose portfolio includes brands such as Sadia and Perdigao, attributed the figures to typical seasonality of the first quarter of the year and currency effects from the strengthening of the Brazilian real against the US dollar.
Rival JBS also posted its quarterly results earlier this week, missing market estimates as the firm grappled with challenges across operations in North America as well. JBS reported a 56% drop in net profit to $221 million.
($1 = 4.9809 reais)
