According to the statistics of Livestock Production released by IBGE, in the first quarter of 2009, there was decrease of cattle slaughter by 11.1%, compared to the same period in 2008. In relation to results in the first quarter, there was also decrease of chicken slaughter (-5.8%), whereas pig slaughter increased 7.1%. Both rates are compared to the first quarter in the previous year. The acquisition of milk by industrial establishments remained practically stable (-0.6%) in this comparison, but there was decrease by 20% in leather acquisition. Production of hen’s eggs decreased by 3.6%. Mato Grosso (13.6%), São Paulo (13.3%) and Mato Grosso do Sul (12.2%) presented the highest percentages of cattle slaughter. The South Regions concentrated 60.6% of the chicken slaughter, especially in Paraná (26.5%). The South was a highlight in the slaughter of pigs, with 68.3%. Minas Gerais led milk production (26.8%) in the country. 

In the first quarter of 2009, 6,446 million cattle head were slaughtered. This amount, when compared to the figure informed in the first quarter of 2008 points to new reduction of the number of animals slaughtered (-11.1%). In relation to the fourth quarter of 2008, the decrease was less significant (- 3.6%). The total weight of carcasses was 1.507 million tons, resulting in decreases of 7.6% and 3.8%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2008. Recession in world economy does not allow recovery of increase by this activity, which is now facing a moment of adaptation to the new scenario. 

Mato Grosso is the main Brazilian state in terms of cattle slaughter, accounting for 13.6% of all the national production from inspected establishments; other relevant states are São Paulo (13.3%), Mato Grosso do Sul (12.2%) and Goiás (9.2%). 

According to SECEX (Foreign Trade Secretariat), the foreign trade of beef in the first quarter of 2009 decreased by 19.0% in terms of volume and by 34.1% in terms of revenue when compared to the same quarter in 2008. 

Chickens

In the 1st quarter of 2009, a total 1.122 billion chickens were slaughtered, according to the Quarterly Survey of Animal Slaughter. This volume points to decrease of slaughter by 5.8% and 10.8%, compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively. The total weight of carcasses was about 2.327 million tons, reflecting decreases of 6.7% and 9.5%, in relation to the first and fourth quarters of 2008. The slaughter of chickens was concentrated in the South Region of the country (60.6%) followed by the Southeast (22.9%). In terms of state, Paraná accounted for the biggest volume slaughtered (26.5%), being followed by Santa Catarina (18.8%) and Rio Grande do Sul (15.3%).

The exports of chickens, in the 1st quarter of 2009, fell by 3.9%, in terms of volume, and by 21.9%, in terms of revenue, when compared to the first quarter of 2008 (Secex). Under the impact of the world crisis, some important buyers of the Brazilian product reduced their purchases, as it is the case of the European Union, United States and Russia. This has caused Brazilian producers to search for new markets in order to sell their products or expand sales to places such as Hong Kong and the Middle East, for example.

Hogs and Pigs 

In the first semester of 2009, a total 7.322 million hogs and pigs were slaughtered by industrial establishments which undergo any type of inspection (federal, state and municipal). In comparison with to the first quarter of 2008, there was increase of 7.1% in slaughter, whereas in relation to the fourth quarter of 2008, there was decrease of 1.2%. The total weight of carcasses reached 696.819 thousand tons in the first quarter of 2009. This figure represents positive changes of 13.6% and 1.3%, relative to the 1st and fourth quarters of 2008. The state of Santa Catarina concentrates 28.3% of the total slaughter of hogs and pigs, and the South Region, 68,3%; these are the major national producers.

The news relative to the spread of swine influenza (later called influenza A) marked the first quarter of  2009. It was believed that the dissemination of the disease could restrict the consumption of pork both inside and outside the country, with significant impact on production. This has not been confirmed by the  Quarterly Survey of Slaughter and slaughter has even increased in comparison with results in the same period in the previous year.  

According to Secex, in the 1st quarter of 2009, foreign pork trade has increased in terms of volume by 19.0%, compared to the same period in the previous year, also recovering from the decreases accumulated in the fourth quarter that year. The main countries which purchase the Brazilian product are Argentina and Singapore.

Production and Processing of Milk

In the first quarter of 2009, a total 4.954 billion liters of milk were acquired by industrial establishments which undergo some type of inspection and are covered by the survey. Compared both to the same period in the previous year and  to the fourth quarter of the same year, it is possible to observed stability of acquisition (-0.6%) and (0.5%), respectively. Minas Gerais is the main State in terms of milk acquisition, with 26.8% of the total.

In terms of foreign commercialization, less milk was traded in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the amount traded in the same period of 2008 (Secex). The decrease accumulated in the quarter in comparison to the amount observed in the first quarter of 2008 was 56.1%, although it is important to highlight the still little participation of Brazil in the commercialization of this type of products abroad. As for powdered milk, whose participation is a little more significant, there was some decrease, but less than with reference to milk. The accumulated decrease in the first quarter of 2009 was 11.1%, in terms of volume and 35.6%, n terms of revenue, compared to the first quarter of 2008. Among the main importers of Brazilian products are Venezuela and Angola.

Acquisition of leather 

The acquisition of rawhides was 7.702 million units in the first quarter of 2009, accounting for decrease of 20.5% and 4.1% in relation to the first and fourth quarter of 2008, respectively. São Paulo is the main purchaser of leather in the national territory, representing 18.5% of the total. In second place is Rio Grande do Sul, with 15.6%. The main origin of the rawhide acquired is slaughterhouses (63.5%). 

By observing quarterly data of leather and comparing it to data obtained for slaughter it is possible to see that, in the first quarter of 02008, the difference of leather versus slaughter was about 33.7%, having fallen to 20.1% in the fourth quarter and again in the first quarter of 2009 (19.5%).

Production of hen’s eggs

In the first quarter of 2009, a total 580.305 million dozens of hen’s eggs were produced, representing increase of 3.6% in relation to the first quarter and stability (-1.0%) in relation to the fourth quarter of 2008. By comparing the months of the first quarters of years 2009 and 2008 it is possible to observe increase of hen’s eggs production throughout the year, with increments above 2.4%. São Paulo is the main producing state, accounting for 31.0% of the overall national production. By comparing the first quarters of  2008 and 2009 it is possible to observe significant increments to production in Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Amazonas and Mato Grosso do Sul. On the other hand, there was significant production decrease in the Federal District, Acre, Rio Grande do Norte and Rondônia.