The first quarter of 2026 showed positive results for the bovine genetics market in Brazil, according to the ASBIA Index, a report prepared by the Brazilian Association of Artificial Insemination (ASBIA) in partnership with Cepea (Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics at USP). The publication indicates that more than 5 million doses of semen were sold in the Brazilian market between January and March, representing a 17.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This performance was mainly driven by investments in genetics for beef cattle. In sales to end customers, 3,093,482 doses suitable for beef cattle were sold: a 26.1% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025. Exports of Brazilian beef cattle genetics registered the largest increase of the quarter: 83,590 doses were shipped, a significant jump of 99.2% compared to 2025. For Luis Adriano Teixeira, president of ASBIA, the results of the first quarter of the year confirm the investment scenario of livestock farmers in genetic improvement and also the international recognition of the quality of Brazilian bovine genetics. “In 2025, there was a total growth of 34% in exports of bovine genetic material, with a 29% increase in semen suitable for beef cattle and 41% for dairy cattle. The numbers from the first quarter show that this trend continues, with practically double the doses shipped for beef cattle. This is the result of years of breed improvement in Brazil, especially Zebu breeds, which are demonstrating increasing efficiency in meat production in tropical regions like ours,” he states. In the dairy cattle market, the domestic market also showed growth: 1,526,970 doses were sold to end customers: a 5.9% increase compared to the same period of the previous year and the highest volume ever recorded for the quarter in the historical series. Adding direct sales (beef and dairy cattle), sales grew by 18.7% in the quarter, totaling 4,620,452 doses sold to livestock farmers throughout the country. Adding exports and service provision operations, the total number of doses exported reached 5,074,895. Data on doses entering the market, which include domestic production and imports, also showed an increase. In total, 6,376,974 new doses entered the semen market: an increase of 9.44%. Imports stood out: 1,729,086 doses entered the country, a volume 54.7% higher than that recorded in the same period last year. Domestic production totaled 4,647,888 doses, with a slight decrease of 1.3%. “We observed a record volume in the production of dairy-grade genetic material during the period, with 968,098 doses collected: an increase of 41.7%. Imports totaled 903,618 doses for beef cattle, a volume 92.7% higher compared to 2025. This scenario demonstrates that Brazilian livestock farmers recognize genetics as an essential investment to make beef and dairy farming increasingly efficient and sustainable,” assesses the president of ASBIA. The ASBIA Index also highlights the expansion of artificial insemination techniques in Brazil. The technology was present in 3,721 municipalities, equivalent to 66.8% of Brazilian cities: an increase of 2.4% compared to the first quarter of 2025. To see the complete ASBIA Index 1st Quarter of 2026, access the ASBIA Portal at asbia.org.br and read the material for free.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.