In the third quarter of 2025, 11.28 million cattle head were slaughtered, representing a 7.4% increase compared to the third quarter of 2024 and a 7.1% increase compared to the preceding quarter. The slaughter of 15.81 million head of hogs and pigs increased by 5.3% compared to the same period of the previous year and by 4.8% compared to the second quarter of 2025. The slaughter of 1.69 billion chicken head represented a 2.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 3.0% increase compared to the second quarter of 2025. Each of the species (cattle, hogs and pigs, and chickens) reached a record, registering the highest formal slaughter in the time series in this third quarter. The data are from the complete results of the Livestock Production Statistics for the 3rd quarter of 2025, released today (10) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

“This scenario reflects a combination of factors that stimulated investments and optimized livestock production. Among them, the strong domestic and foreign demand for beef, pork and chicken stands out, as well as the positive influence of a good grain crops that had a direct impact on the reduction of production costs, and the rigorous sanitary measures implemented in the country,” highlighted the Livestock Manager, Angela Lordão.

The production of 2.97 million tonnes of cattle carcasses in the 3rd quarter of 2025 represented an increase of 6.5% compared to the same quarter of the previous year and 11.2% compared to the 2nd quarter of 2025.

“In the beef segment, exports hit a record, even with the US taxes during the period, which until the second quarter remained our second largest buyer, only behind China,” highlighted the Livestock Manager, Angela Lordão.

Slaughter of hogs and pigs increases in Q3

The slaughter of hogs and pigs totaled 15.81 million head in the 3rd quarter of 2025, representing a 5.3% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year and a 4.8% increase compared to the 2nd quarter of 2025. The cumulative carcass weight reached 1.49 million tonnes in the 3rd quarter of 2025, a 6.1% increase compared to the 3rd quarter of 2024 and a 4.8% increase compared to the preceding quarter.

According to Angela Lordão, “pork exports also reached unprecedented levels in both volume and revenue, having the Philippines as the main destination. Domestically, more affordable and practical pork parts have increased consumption.”

Chicken slaughter reaches 1.69 billion head in the third quarter

In the 3rd quarter of 2025, 1.69 billion chicken were slaughtered. This result was 2.9% higher than that obtained in the equivalent quarter of the previous year and 3.0% higher than that verified in the 2nd quarter of 2025. The cumulative weight of the carcasses was 3.60 million tonnes in the 3rd quarter of 2025. This total represents increases of 3.1% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2024 and 1.1% compared to the preceding quarter. “The rapid resumption of avian influenza-free status was very important for the national poultry industry, guaranteeing access for Brazilian chicken meat to international markets,” emphasizes the livestock manager.

Milk acquisition increases by 10.2% compared to Q3 2024

Raw milk acquisition by establishments operating under some type of sanitary inspection (federal, state, or municipal) in the 3rd quarter of 2025 totaled 7.01 billion liters. This value represents a 10.2% increase compared to the volume recorded in the 3rd quarter of 2024 and a 7.9% increase compared to the preceding quarter.

“In the dairy sector, the acquisition of raw milk by industries also showed the highest record in the time series. This increase in production is the result of greater investments made in the activity in recent periods, due to better margins, and more favorable weather conditions. However, the scenario of higher domestic production combined with high imports was not matched by the same intensity in demand, resulting in a drop in the price paid to producers for raw milk since April. On average in the 3rd quarter, the average price was R$ 2.57, a value 8.2% lower than that practiced in the equivalent quarter of the previous year and 6.6% lower compared to the average price of the second quarter of 2025,” explained Angela Lordão.

Compared to Q3 2024, leather acquisition grows 8.2%

The tanneries surveyed by the Quarterly Survey of Leather – those that tan at least 5,000 whole units of cattle rawhide per year – reported receiving 11.42 million whole pieces of the material in the 3rd quarter of 2025. This quantity represents an increase of 8.2% compared to that recorded in the 3rd quarter of 2024 and an increase of 6.2% compared to the preceding quarter.

Hen egg production has the second-best result in the time series

Hen egg production reached 1.24 billion dozen in the 3rd quarter of 2025. This result represents a 2.6% increase compared to the same period of the previous year and a 0.5% decrease compared to the 2nd quarter of 2025.

More about the survey

The IBGE conducts quarterly official statistical surveys of the agricultural sector, namely the Quarterly Survey of Animal Slaughter, the Quarterly Survey of Milk, the Quarterly Survey of Leather, and Hen Egg Production. In order to meet user requests for faster access to information on the agricultural sector, the IBGE began publishing the first results of these surveys starting from the 1st quarter of 2018. They become available nearly one month before the general release of the data in the periodical IBGE Indicators: Livestock Production Statistics. The data can be consulted on Sidra Database. The next release of complete results, relating to the 4th quarter of 2025, will be on March 18, 2026.