In Q2 2012 a total 7.6 million cattle head were slaughtered, representing increases of 5.6% over the immediately previous quarter and of 7.9% over the same period in 2011. In Q2 2012, the number of hogs and pigs slaughtered reached 8.8 million, recording increase of 0.9% in relation to the immediately previous quarter and of 2.6% in relation to the same period in 2011. The slaughter of chickens (1.3 billion head), on the other hand, faced decrease both in comparison with the immediately previous quarter and with the same period in 2011, of 5.5% and 2.8%, respectively. The amount of milk acquired by industry in the quarter was 5.2 billion liters, what means increase of 2.8% in relation to the same quarter of 2011. The acquisition of hide by tanneries also rose in the 2^nd quarter, in comparison with the same period in 2011 (10.9%). The production of hen’s eggs was 670.5 million dozens in the quarter, representing increase of 5.8% in relation to 2011. These and other data are available in the results for the second semester of 2012 of the Quarterly Surveys of Animal Slaughter and Production of Milk, Leather and Eggs. The complete publication is available at

https://www.ibge.gov.br/english/estatistica/indicadores/agropecuaria/producaoagropecuaria/default.shtm

Cattle slaughter in the 2^nd quarter increased by 5.6% over the 1^st and by 7.9% over the 2^nd quarters of 2011

In Q2 2012 a total 7.6 million cattle head were slaughtered, representing increases of 5.6% over the immediately previous quarter and of 7.9% over the same period in 2011. The volume of head slaughtered reached the same level as in Q3 2007 and in the period prior to the global financial crisis (Q2 2008).

The accumulated weight of carcasses in the 2^nd quarter of 2012 was 1.8 million metric tons, 6.6% above the figure obtained in Q1 and 8.7% above that of Q2 2011. The average weight of carcasses in the 2^nd quarter of 2012 (235.1 kg/unit of carcass) was 2.2 kg bigger than in the previous quarter and 1.6 kg bigger than in the 2^nd quarter of 2011. This increase of the average weight is not unusual, since the second quarter of every year has a tendency to increase of the number of bulls and reduction of the number of cows. Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul lead the ranking of states, and accounted, together, for 67.0% of the almost 558 thousand additional cattle head slaughtered all over the country.

Slaughter of chickens falls by 5.5% versus figure in Q1

In the 2^nd quarter of 2012 the number of chickens slaughtered reached 1. 3 billion head. That figure represents reduction by 36.1 million chickens when compared to the amount of 2011 and decreases of 5.5% over the immediately previous quarter and of 2.8% over the same period in 2011. This is the worst performance of chicken slaughter in the last six months. The accumulated weight of carcasses in Q2 2012 (2.9 million metric tons) was reduced by 1.3% and grew only 0.4% above that of Q2 2011. Paraná is the main Federation Unit in the national ranking of chicken slaughter, followed by Santa Catarina and São Paulo.  Rio Grande do Sul slaughtered 23.6% less than in the 2^nd quarter of 2011 and fell to the fourth position.

Increased slaughter of chickens in the Central West corresponds to 45% of the increase at national level  

In Q2 2012 a total 8.8 million hogs and pigs were slaughtered, representing increases of 0.9% over the immediately previous quarter and of 2.6% over the same period in 2011. The accumulated weight of carcasses in Q2 2012 (874.0 thousand) was 5.1% bigger than that of the immediately previous quarter, as well as 6.0% above that of the same period in 2011. All the Federation Units in the South Region (except Santa Catarina), Southeast and Central West recorded increase of the number of head slaughtered in the comparison between the first quarters of 2012 and 2011. The increase of all states of the Central West Region corresponded to 45% of the expanded national slaughter of hogs and pigs.

Acquisition of milk is 2.8% bigger than in the 2^nd quarter of 2011

The acquisition of milk by industry in this quarter was 5.2 billion liters, representing increase of 2.8% compared with the same quarter in 2011. This positive result was caused by the recovery of milk production in the states of the South Region (14.4%), mainly in Rio Grande do Sul. Minas Gerais, the main national producer, faced production decrease in the same period.  In comparison with the 1^st quarter of 2012, the decrease of 9.7% in the volume of milk acquired in the 2^nd quarter occurred due to the period between harvests, when there is usually reduction of temperature and rain, and consequently, of the quality of pastures.

Acquisition of cattle hides increased by 10.9% compared with Q2 2011

Tanneries acquired 6.7 million pieces of cattle rawhides and received 2.2 million units of hide from others for tanning services, from April to June 2012, amounting to 8.9 million units, according to the increase of cattle slaughter.  The total amount of tanned leather (from rawhide acquired by the tannery itself, rawhide in stock and rawhide received from others) was 8.9 million pieces, indicating use, in the period, of the amount existing in stock.

In relation to the 2^nd quarter of 2011, there was increase of hide acquisition by tanneries (10.9%) despite the rendering of tanning services to others (-7.3%),  resulting in increase of 5.7% of the total cattle leather.  Mato Grosso was the state which received the biggest amount of hide for tanning, followed by São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul.

Production of hen’s eggs records increase of 5.8% in relation to 2011

The output of hen’s eggs was 670.5 million dozens in the quarter, with increase of 5.8% in relation to 2011. São Paulo, the main producing state, had its output increased by 10.4% in this comparison, representing 30.0% of the total of eggs in the 2^nd quarter of 2012. The biggest production increase was observed in Mato Grosso (19.5%), which surpassed the amount of Goiás and gained the fifth position among the main producers.  The expansion of poultry keeping for the agriculture industry of Mato Grosso was the main cause of this increase. Santa Catarina, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte and Espírito Santo also recorded increases above 10.0% in this quarter over the same period of 2011.