Poultry and pig farming are the highlights of protein production and exports in Brazil in 2024. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), the sectors will end the year with new records and are expected to grow next year. The information was released this Thursday (12) at a press conference held in São Paulo (SP).

“This was a year that began with recovery, but it ends positively for proteins. The next one should also be good, including for inputs [corn and soybeans], whose supply is quite positive in Brazil”, says Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA.

Chicken meat

ABPA predicts total chicken meat production of up to 14.9 million tons in 2024, a value approximately 1.1% higher than that recorded in the same period last year, with 14.8 million tons. “We suffered a little from the influence of the price of corn and the heat, which affected the initial production expectation of 15.1 million, but this is a minimal variation,” explains Santin. Of this total, 9.7 million tons were destined for the domestic market, a volume almost equivalent to the total for 2023, which had 9.694 million tons destined for domestic demand. Chicken meat exports in 2024 are expected to break another record and total 5.3 million tons, a volume 3.1% higher than that shipped last year, with 5.139 million tons. “Brazil is our largest customer, but for every 10 chickens sold in the world, 4 were produced in Brazil. This shows the sustainable and consistent growth of poultry farming in the country,” says Santin. China, the main importer of chicken meat from Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Japan are the main buyers of protein from Brazil. ABPA's projections still indicate a 20% drop in imports from China compared to 2023. However, for Santin, the drop was one-off and the country should return to its previous level. Santin also highlighted the 10% drop in chicken exports from the United States, which, according to him, is positive for Brazil. "Our competitor has fallen and this gives us room." Regarding the episode in which Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour, disqualified Brazilian meat, Santin believes that it was an isolated case in Europe. "In the month in which it occurred, in November, the European Union imported 62% of Brazilian chicken meat. In the year, the bloc bought 2.5% of chicken compared to 2023. In other words, France made a different move from what is observed in Europe." The president of ABPA also celebrated the signing of the Mercosur-EU Agreement, which in his view is beneficial for Brazil, but mainly for the European consumer. “Now, we will complete their production and consumption by bringing meat of unparalleled quality that meets all the requirements of the bloc.”

ABPA projections also indicate an increase in per capita chicken meat consumption in Brazil, which should be around 45.6 kilos, 1.1% higher than last year.

For 2025, the sector estimates producing up to 15.3 million tons (+2.7%), with availability of around 9.9 million tons (+2.1%), with per capita consumption of 46.6 kilos (+2.2%) and exports of up to 5.4 million tons (+1.9%).

“In the external scenario of 2025, new market openings are expected in Central America and African countries, in addition to increased shipments to other nations in Latin America and Asia, which should expand the diversification of destinations for our products,” says Santin.

Demand for pork on the rise
Pork production is expected to close 2024 at 5.35 million tons, 3.8% higher than the same period last year, with 5.156 million tons.

Domestic availability of the protein will total around 4 million tons, 1.9% higher than last year, with 3.926 million tons. The sector's per capita consumption this year will grow by up to 3.8%, potentially reaching 19 kilos per capita.

In turn, exports from the sector are expected to close the year with 1.35 million in shipped volume, up to 9.8% higher than that recorded in 2023, with 1.23 million tons. “Today we are seeing a change in the profile. In the 2000s, almost 80% of production was destined for the domestic market. Today the game has changed. This is a number to be celebrated”, says Santin. The main destinations for Brazilian pork were the Philippines, China and Chile. “This reflects our commitment to diversifying markets”.

Currently, the Philippines is the largest buyer of Brazilian pork, mainly because they have not been able to control the infestation of African swine fever in the country, a viral disease of pigs that has become a serious threat to pig producers worldwide since 2007. “With the influence of African swine fever (ASF), we should consolidate the Philippines as the largest importer of Brazilian pork”, says Santin.

For 2025, the sector projects production of up to 5.45 million tons (+2%), with domestic availability of 4 million tons, a number consistent with

Source: Forbes