Calf price starts 2026 above the average

The weekly analysis by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea), released on Monday (2), reported that the price of a calf weighing 7 arrobas began 2026 above the average of the last five years. In January, the average value was R$ 13.82 per kilo, an increase of 10.00% compared to the same period of the previous year. According to the institute, the price was 11.18% above the average of the last five years for the month, estimated at R$ 12.43 per kilo, in values deflated by the IGP-DI, close to the highest levels in the historical series. The Imea attributes the movement to the reversal of the devaluation cycle observed between 2022 and 2023, a period in which the greater availability of young animals pressured the replacement quotes. Starting in 2024, the market began a recovery process, intensified in 2025, reflecting the lower ...