According to IBGE’s statistics of Livestock Production, in the second quarter of 2009 there was increase of 5.5% in the number of cattle head slaughtered, compared to the figure in the first quarter of the same year. This increase interrupts a sequence of successive decreases which started in the 3rd quarter of 2008, but also indicates reduction of 10.2% compared to the figure in the same quarter last year. Versus the second quarter last year, there was decrease of 2.4% in the slaughter of chickens and of 4.6% in the slaughter of hogs and pigs. Also in this comparison, acquisition of milk by industrial establishments faced (-8.7%), as well as acquisition of leather (-18.5%). The production of hen’s eggs increased (3.6%) compared to the figure of the same quarter in 2008. Mato Grosso (13.6%), São Paulo (13.3%) and Mato Grosso do Sul (12.2%) had the highest percentages in the slaughter of cattle. The South Region concentrated 60.1% of chicken slaughter, especially Paraná (26.5%). The region was also a highlight in terms of the slaughter of hogs and pigs, with 67.4%. Minas Gerais was the leader in terms of national milk acquisition (26.4%).

The better performance of cattle slaughter may be the beginning of a reversal in the rhythm of decrease, which resulted, in the third quarter, in the same volume of slaughter as in the first quarter of 2005 (6.446 million head). The graph below shows the quarterly evolution of cattle slaughter since the first quarter of 2007.  

As it had been occurring since the first quarter, major slaughterhouses have adapted their costs according to this new reality, by adjusting their production, which is still low, thus preventing the recovery from recent personnel dismissal occurred in the sector.

The weight of carcasses was 1.612 million tons, resulting in decrease of 7.8% in relation to the 2nd quarter of the previous year, and in increase of 6.3% in the first quarter of 2009. Mato Grosso is the main Brazilian state, in terms of volume of slaughtering, encompassing 13.6% of the total production of establishments under inspection. Other importantr states in terms of production are São Paulo (13.3%), Mato Grosso do Sul (12.2%) and Goiás (9.2%).

The Central West and Southeast regions concentrate about 58.5% of cattle slaughter in Brazil. Both Goiás and Minas Gerais faced significant decrease in the number of head slaughtered when compared to the same period in 2008, about 23.0% less each. Compared to the figures in the first quarter of 2009, the state of Paraná had the major increase (27.8%).

The foreign trade of beef increased by 22.1% in the second quarter of 2009 in terms of volume; by 31.2% in terms of valuing, considering the American currency. The impact of this result was reduced due to the sudden decrease of currency rates during the period in which extreme figures varied about 15%. In comparison with the 2^nd quarter of 2008, there was decrease of 7.2% in the volume traded and of 24.2% in the profit.

Chickens 

The slaughter of chickens in the 2nd quarter of 2009 was 1.168 billion head, according to the Quarterly Survey of animal Slaughter. Compared to the amount obtained in the same period of 2008, there was decrease of 2.4% in the number of animals slaughtered and increase of 3.8% in relation to the 1^st quarter of 2009. The total weight of carcasses slaughtered was 2.450 million metric tons, indicating fall of 4.2% in relation to the 2nd quarter of 2008 and increase of 4.9% in relation t the first quarter of 2009.

The South region accounted for 60.1% of all the national slaughter of chickens. Paraná is the main state, being responsible for 26.5% of the production. Alagoas teve a queda mais significativa (60,4%), enquanto que o Mato Grosso teve aumento de produção (20,2%).

The foreign trade of chickens increased by 16.1% in terms of the amount exported in the 2nd quarter of 2009, compared to the first quarter this year, according to SECEX data. Profits had a positive change, of approximately 28.0%.

Hogs and pigs

In the 2nd quarter of 2009, only the slaughter of hogs and pigs had positive changes when compared to figures relative to the same period in 2008 and to the 1^st quarter of 2009. The number of animals slaughtered was 7.588 million head, with increase of 4.6% in relation to 2^nd quarter of 2008 of 3.6% in relation to the 1^st quarter of 2009. The total weight of carcasses slaughtered was 731.231 million kilograms, indicating increase of 10.2% in relation to the 2^nd quarter of 2008 and of 4.9% in relation to the 1^st quarter of 2009.

The main region of the country in terms of slaughter of hogs and pigs is the South, concentrating 67.4% of the national volume. Santa Catarina is the main state in this category, accounting, alone, for 27.9% of the total slaughter in Brazil. The Central West had increase of 20.2%, mainly due to the state of Mato Grosso (38.7%).

According to SECEX data, the exports of hogs and pigs increased by 20.9% in terms of volume in relation to the first quarter of 2009. Profit had positive change of 14.6% in the period compared, reflecting fall of foreign trade prices.

Acquisition of milk

The acquisition of raw milk by industrial establishments which are under some type of inspection was 4.285 billion liters in the 2^nd quarter of 2009. This represents decreases of 8.7% relative to the 2nd quarter of 2008 and of 13.6% relative to the 1^st quarter of 2009. Such decreases reflect the conditions of the period between harvests, besides the fact that 2008 had extremely high production of milk.

The main region in terms of acquisition of raw milk is the Southeast, with 40.7% of the total national volume. Minas Gerais is the main state, with 26.4%. Compared to the 2nd quarters of years 2009 and 2008, all the regions faced decreases in milk acquisition, except the North, where figures remained stable.

The exports of milk had increase of volume of 126.8% in the comparison established between the second and the first quarters of 2009. The amount of powdered milk exported in the 2nd quarter of 2009, compared to that of the 1^st quarter, presented decrease of 35.7%. Profits decreased by 51.8% in the period analyzed. In summary, in the foreign market, the commercial balance of milk once has a performance similar to that in 2007, and the country is, once more, an importer of the product.

Acquisition of rawhide

The acquisition of entire rawhide pieces was 8.139 million units in the second quarter of 2009 according to the National Survey of Leather Acquisition.  This figure indicates decrease of 18.5% in relation to the same period in the previous year and increase of 5.7% in relation to the first quarter of 2009. São Paulo is the main leather buying in the country, 19.9% of the total amount.   

The amount of leather tanned by the establishments surveyed was 8.026 million pieces, with decease of 18.5% in relation to the 2^nd quarter of 2008 and increase of 2.5% in relation to the 1^st quarter of 2009.

 According to SECEX data, the exports of cattle leather and rawhides faced decrease of 32.1% in the 1st quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, a fact which may have contributed to the decrease of leather acquisition observed in the Quarterly Survey.

Production of hen’s eggs

The production of hen’s eggs was 580.832 million dozens in the 2nd quarter of 2009, reflecting a positive change of 2.2% compared to the 2nd quarter of 2008 and a stable position in relation to the immediately previous quarter in 2009. The main producing region is the Southeast, with 50.4% of the national total. São Paulo is the main producing state, accounting for 31.3% of production.

Comparing the 2nd quarters of 2009 and 2008, there was increase of production of hen’s eggs in all the areas except for the South, which had slight reduction. The North Region had the main production increase (25.2%), although production was very slow in absolute terms. Minas Gerais, the second main producer in terms of relevance, faced decrease of 3.4%.