Brazil: what was the fate of pork exports in 2023?

In 2023, Brazil ranked fourth in the world in pork exports with shipments of approximately 1.2 million tons, accounting for a 12.3% share of the global market. The majority of these exports, nearly 55%, came from Santa Catarina, with significant contributions from Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná. Over 90% of Brazilian pork exports were processed into pork cuts, with offal and fat making up a much smaller percentage. The Asian continent was the primary destination for these exports, receiving 67.04%, while the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania also contributed to the demand. Exports to China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Chile, and Singapore accounted for a significant portion of the total, with new exports to Mexico also noted. Despite a decrease in exports to China, there was overall growth in shipments to most other destinations.

With shipments of around 1.2 million tons (Mt) and a 12.3% share in total world exports of pork products and by-products, Brazil maintained fourth place in the ranking of global exporters in 2023. In 2023, 54.6% of Brazilian exports came from Santa Catarina, followed by Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná with shares of 23.1 and 14% respectively. In short, these three states were responsible for more than 90% of pork exports last year. 34.41% of exports departed from the port of Itajaí, 23.62% from the port of São Francisco do Sul, 16.05% from the port of Paranaguá, 11.59% from the port of Rio Grande, while, from other customs, including São Borja, 14%. Pork cuts accounted for 89.06% of total pork exports in 2023, offal and fat represented 8.36 and 1.21% respectively, while products such as processed meat, carcasses, hides and skins accounted for just 1 .4%. Last year, 67.04% of Brazilian exports were destined for the Asian continent, while 19.77% went to America. In turn, Africa ...