Brazil’s pigmeat exports to top 1 million tonnes in 2020

According to the Brazilian Association for Animal Protein (ABPA), by the end of 2020 exports are likely to reach the level of 1.03 million tonnes, which would mean a year-on-year increase of 37%. In 2019, total shipments amounted to 750,000 tonnes.

Another threshold was already beaten between January and November. For the 1st time, Brazil’s pork exports exceeded the value of US$ 2 billion in a single year (US$ 2.079 billion), 47.1% more than the US$ 1.413 billion made in the same period at 2019.

African Swine Fever still boosts pigmeat exports

Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA, analysed that African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to boost Brazil’s animal protein exports. He said, “Asian nations have consolidated their position as main importers of Brazil’s poultry and pork meat and were the main driver in both sectors this year.”

Until last month, Brazil’s international pig meat trade reached 940,900 tonnes, which was 39.5% higher than the 674,200 tonnes during the first 11 months last year. Historically, December has always been one of the best months for Brazil’s pigmeat exports, because of seasonality in international market.

If confirmed, those numbers represent 90% more volume of the goods exported in 2010, when Brazil exported 540,000 tonnes, and around 60% higher revenues in US dollars.

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Pig production results in November

Only in November, pork shipments (including both fresh and processed goods) weighed 87,500 tonnes, 31.7% more than the same month last year (66,400 tonnes). In terms of revenue, the 11^th month of 2020 registered 35.7% higher output, with US$ 202.7 million, compared to US$ 149.3 million in November 2019.

More records to be broken: pork production figures

ABPA said more records are about to be broken. Brazil’s pork production is likely to achieve new highs as well. Brazil’s producers may well break the 4 million tonnes barrier to produce 4.3 million tonnes this year, 8% above than in 2019, which closed with 3,983 million tonnes.

In domestic market, however, per capita consumption does not strongly increase, as that stabilised at 15.3 kg. Domestic pigmeat supply will be up to 3.3 million tonnes, a growth of 2% when compared to 2019, when there was 3.233 million tonnes. That is just in line with the population growth.