SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian meat exporters sold some 48,000 metric tons of beef into the United States last month despite enforcement of a new 10% tariff by Washington, Roberto Perosa, head of Brazilian beef lobby Abiec, said on Thursday.

Perosa told a press conference that the volume was "a big surprise" because it compares with roughly 8,000 tons of Brazilian beef sold to U.S. importers in the year-ago month.

China remains Brazil's main export destination for beef products, but a severe shortage of cattle in the United States has boosted demand for beef imports, including from Brazilian and Australian suppliers, Perosa said.

Citing data from consultancy Datagro, Perosa noted that Brazil could become the world's biggest beef producer in 2026, replacing the United States, where ranchers face difficulties to increase cattle inventories and companies would tend to produce less beef.

Brazil is already the world's biggest beef exporter.

For sales outside a predetermined annual quota of 65,000 tons, Brazilian beef was previously subject to a 26.4% tariff in the United States. An additional 10% tariff now applies. For Brazilian beef sales inside the quota, the U.S. administration imposed a tariff of 10%, from zero previously, Perosa said.

The annual quota of 65,000 tons was filled in January.

Next week, representatives of Brazil's beef-packers will accompany President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a visit to China. For the first time, they will go to two cities in the interior to promote Brazilian beef products there, Perosa said.

China imported some 12% more Brazilian beef so far in the year, or about 392,000 metric tons, he said.

Though Perosa does not see China issuing new permits for Brazilian beef exporters in the short term, it is possible new suppliers are cleared next year, when Beijing will have ended its safeguard probe focusing on overall beef imports.