In 2006, Brazilian cattle herd totaled 205.9 million head, which corresponds to reduction of 0.6% in comparison with the total in the previous year (207.1 million). The country holds the second biggest herd of cattle in the world, being second to India, only. In relation to the number of other major Brazilian herd, the main hike was that of hogs and pigs (35.2 million head) with 3.3%, followed by poultry (821.5 million), with 1.1%. In the period, there was increase of all the products of animal origin, especially cow’s milk (25.4 billion liters) and hen’s eggs (2.9 billion dozens), with 2.9% and 5.8%, respectively. These data come from the Municipal Livestock Survey 2006, which brings data about all the 5,564 municipalities of Brazil. The reference date considered for the calculation of cattle herd was December 31, 2007, and for livestock, the data were collected throughout the period.  

Cattle: fall in the Central Wes t is most significant than in Amapá

Brazil is the second main producer of cattle in the world (according to the USA Department of Agriculture – USDA/2007), being second to India, only. Although cattle are spread all over the national territory, bovine cattle are concentrated in the Central West Region, which is responsible, alone, for 34.2% of the total cattle in Brazil, predominantly in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás.

In 2006, there was fall of 2.0% of cattle herd in the Central West Region, compared to 2005; negative rates affected all the states.  The biggest reduction occurred in the Federal District (-3.5%), but, in absolute terms, the most significant decrease was registered in Mato Grosso do Sul (from 24.5 million head in 2005 to 23.7 million head in 2006) and Mato Grosso (from 26.7 million in 2005 to 26.1 million in 2006). The reduction can indicate there has been a movement of the herd to other areas, and that the slaughter of cattle has surpassed the cattle replaced in the period analyzed.

The North Region, which holds 19.9% of the national total, also faced decrease in 2006 (-1.0%), especially in Pará (-3.1%) and in Tocantins (-2.5%). N the other hand, Amapá had the highest increase rate in the country, with 12.9% over the figure obtained in 2005. Acre also had significant increase (6.0%). Partially, these increases may be seen as a consequence of the updating of registers of vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease (the main data source for the survey) and not only as related to the real increase of the number of cattle head.  

 In the Southeast Region, which holds 19% of the overall national cattle herd, there was increase of 0.7% in comparison with 2005. Minas Gerais alone (with increase of 3.7%), is in the first position, encompassing 10.8% of the national total, and followed by São Paulo, with participation of 6.2%. In São Paulo. There was the most relevant decrease in etrms of quantity (-4.7%). One of the factors which can explain this result is the competition of grazing areas with the expansion of sugarcane crops, for the benefit of the latter.

The Northeast Region had 13.5% of the national total and it had increase of 3.4% in 2006, compared to the previous year. It was the region that had the most significant change of the number of cattle head. Individually, Pernambuco had increase of 9.7% and Sergipe, of 6.2%.

In the South, there was reduction of herd in 2006 (-2.1%). Santa Catarina was the only state of the area to face increase (2.5%).  

Considering the ten municipalities which feature among the major bovine cattle producers, nine are located in the Central West Region. Corumbá (MS) was in the first position (1.99 million head), pointing to increase of 1.9% over the previous year.

Hogs and pigs: herd grows; foreign sales fall 

Brazil is the fourth major national producer of hogs and pigs (USDA/2007), after China, the European Union and the United States. The national total production of December 31, 2006 was 35.2 million head, with increase of 3.3% in relation to 2005.  

The South Region concentrates 45.4% of the Brazilian cattle herd; the state of Santa Catarina alone is the main producing state, with 20.4% of the animals. There is a significant number of cattle head distributed throughout the Northeast (15.6%) and Southeast Regions (17.2%). The main producing municipality is Uberlândia (MG), with 538,203 head and increase of 9.9% in 2006. 

In the foreign market, there was decrease of 16.4% in the volume of hogs and pigs meat exported, compared to 2005. One of the reasons presented was the restriction to this product imposed by Russia.

Chickens: internal market makes up for losses

On December 31, 2006, there were 821.5 million units of chicken in Brazil, a figure which represented increase of 1.1% in relation to 2005. Out of this total, 49.9% came from the South Region and 19.6% from Paraná, the main producing state.

The Southeast Region is the main producer of chickens, with 27.9% of the total, in São Paulo (17.0%), above all.  

The major increase of herd occurred in the Southeast (2.4%), with the highest rate registered in São Paulo (4.6%). The South Region had increase of 1.7%, with the increase of the overall number of head in Paraná (5.9%).

In terms of chicken raising, there were, in the reference date, 191.6 million units in the country, a volume 2.7% higher than in the previous year.

Brazil is the third major producer of chicken meat, after the USA and China (FAO, 2006). In 2006, external sales fell by 6.4% in relation to 2005, due to the world trend to decrease of the consumption of this product, attributed to the avian influenza epidemic. However, the Brazilian meat which, at first, would be exported, ended up being consumed in the internal market.

Animal products: overall hike

The production of all the animal products surveyed (Table 2) increased: honey (7.2%), hen’s eggs (5.8%), silkworm cocoons (5.8%), quail’s eggs (5.2%), milk (2.9%) and wool (0.9%).

Milk – The production of milk reached the volume of 25.4 billion liters in 2006; it was 3.2% above the figure in the previous year, however, differently from expectations of more pronounced increase. The Southeast Region is the major national producer, with participation of 38.4%, followed by the South Region, with 27.7%. Minas Gerais is the main producing state, accounting, alone, for 27.9% of the total. The main producing municipality is Castro (PR) (134 million liters in 2006).

In Brazil, in 2006, a total of 20.9 million cows were milked, which points to increase of productivity by cow/year, from 1,193 liters (2005) to 1, 213 liters (2006) (Graph 2).

The Brazilian production of cow’s milk is the sixth position in the annual ranking, after the USA, India, China, Russia and Germany (FAO, 2006).

Hen’s eggs – The production of hen’s eggs reached 2.9 billion dozens, 5.8% more than in 2005. The Southeast Region is the main producer, with 45.8% of the total. São Paulo, alone, held 28.2% of the national volume and the municipality of Bastos remained as the leader in terms of production (189.5 million dozens), with increase of 6.5%.

Brazil is the seventh producer of hen’s eggs in the world, after China and the USA.

Quail’s eggs – The production of quail’s eggs is concentrated in the Southeast Region, which accounted for 67.8% of the national total. São Paulo is the main producing state, where the municipalities of Iacri and Bastos, together with Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES), accounted for 35.3% of the volume obtained in the year.

Honey – The production of hone increased by 7.2% in comparison with that in 2005. The South region concentrates 45.4% of the national production, with Rio Grande do Sul accounting, individually, for 21.6%. The municipality of Ortigueira (PR) is the main municipal producer of honey in Brazil. The country is placed in the 11^th position in the ranking of major producers (FAQ, 2006).  

 Silkworm cocoon – The silkworm is raised in Paraná (88.0%), São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul (5.6%). The main producing municipalities are Nova Esperança, Alto Paraná and Cruzeiro do Sul, all located in Paraná.

Wool – Wool is produced in only seven Brazilian states; Rio Grande do Sul and holds 92% of the national volume. The South Region is responsible for 98.4% of its production and the main producing municipality is Santana do Livramento (RS).