The total cattle herd in 2008 was 202.287 million heads, the first positive result after two years of successive herd reductions (2006 and 2007) and four of reductions in growth pace (2004 to 2007). Comparing 2008 and 2007, there was a 1.3% growth in the national total. The Central West Region accounts for 34.1% of this total, with Mato Grosso being the main producing state. Corumbá (MS) is the municipality that holds the largest herd in the country, followed by São Félix do Xingu (PA) and Ribas do Rio Pardo (MS).

By comparing data from the Municipal Livestock Production (PPM) 2008 with those from 2007, we can observe a decrease in the total herd of the Southeast (-2.0%), with the most significant reduction in São Paulo (-5.1%). The other regions presented increase in the total herd: North (3.3%), Northeast (0.5%), South (4.0%) and Central West (1.2%). Highlights were the increases observed in Santa Catarina (10.8%) and Pará (5.8%). At the other extreme there was a herd reduction in the Federal District (-21.3%). These are some highlights of PPM 2008, whose main results are detailed next. 

In 2008, according to the Quarterly Survey of Animal Slaughter, 28.691 million animals were slaughtered, with a recorded fall of 6.6% in relation to 2007. The Quarterly Survey of Leather Products recorded an approximate acquisition of 36.378 million whole pieces of the product (IBGE). This makes Brazil the second slaughterer in the world, only following China, having surpassed American production (USDA).

Externally, the trade of bovine meat reduced by 20.5% in the year in relation to 2007 (Secex, 2008). Considering earnings, on the other hand, there was an increase of 14.9% in the compared period, due to the rise in the average trade price from US$ 2,711 to US$ 3,917. The international economic crisis caused the reduction or the interruption of external purchases by some countries. The reduction in the pace of exports was responsible for, in Brazil, a fall in the price of final products.

Total of chickens increases by 5.1%, and Rio de Janeiro records the biggest change between 2007 and 2008

On 12/31/2008, PPM recorded that the number of chicken increased by 5.1%, in comparison to 2007. All major regions presented such increase in relation to 2007, with highlights being the Southeast (6.4%), followed by the Northeast (5.5%), the South (4.3%) and the Central West (4.4%).

In the Southeast significant changes were recorded in Rio de Janeiro (16.1%), Espírito Santo (10.4%) and São Paulo, the principal state in lodging, whose increase was 7.8%. In Pernambuco, a 25.3% increase was recorded. The Federal District had the most significant fall, 26.0%. The main municipalities in the lodging of chicken are: Bastos (SP), Santa Maria de Jequitibá (ES) and Itanhandu (MG).

The number of roosters, pullets and chicks had an increase of 6.9% compared to that recorded in 2007. All major regions presented an increase in 2008, although the main increases were those recorded in the Central West (14.3%) and Southeast (7.8%) regions.

In the Central West, Mato Grosso had an increase of almost 50.0%, due to the construction of new units of chicken production integrated to the local slaughtering industry, spreading its activities. The municipalities that stand out in chicken lodging are Nova Mutum (MT), Brasília (DF) and Rio Verde (GO).

Data from the Quarterly Survey of Animal Slaughter indicate that, in the accumulated rate of 2008, 4.875 billion units of chicken were slaughtered, an increase of 11.5% in relation to 2007. Brazil holds the third position in the production of chicken meat, behind the United States and China (USDA).

External sales of chicken meat increased by 8.7% in 2008, considering the total achieved in 2007. Brazil is the main world exporter of chicken meat, according to data from USDA, surpassing the United States and the European Union.

Slaughter of hogs and pigs was 28.803 million heads, and the increase was 5.1% in relation to 2007

The total of hogs and pigs on 12/31/2008 was 36.819 million heads (PPM). The total of breeding sows had an increase of 1.6% compared to the year 2007, whereas that of other hogs and pigs increased by 2.5%. The municipalities with the highest increases of breeding sows were Rio Verde (GO), Uberlândia (MG) and Concórdia (SC).

The slaughter of hogs and pigs in 2008 was 28.803 million heads, an increase of 5.1% in relation to 2007, according to the Quarterly Survey of Animal Slaughter (IBGE). Brazil holds the fifth position in the slaughter of hogs and pigs, behind China, the European Union, the United States and Russia (USDA). In the accumulated of 2008, external sales of meat of hogs and pigs decreased by 15.3% in comparison to 2007.

In 2008, the total of common quails increased by 18.3%, with the Southeast Region standing out

The number of common quails in 2008 increased by 18.3% in comparison to 2007, presenting itself as that of the biggest change. The Southeast Region had an increase of 29.6% in the total recorded in 2008, when compared with 2007. What most influences this datum is the increase of 49.6% in São Paulo. Other states also had significant changes. Mato Grosso (38.3%) and Bahia (26.3%) are examples. Pará had a decrease of 17.6%.

Rabbits had a reduction of 9.7%; horses, 1.1%; donkeys, 2.8%; mules, 2.2%; and goats, 1.0%. Buffaloes had an increase of 1.3%, and sheep, 2.4%.

Milk production increased by 5.5%, and Amazonas stood out with an increase of 101.9%

In 2008, 27.579 billion liters of milk were produced (main animal product), an increase of 5.5% in relation to 2007. The average price of the liter was R$ 0.62. In world terms, Brazil is the fourth main producer, behind India, China and Russia.

The South Region had a production increase of 10.1%, stimulated by the increases in Santa Catarina (14.0%) and Rio Grande do Sul (12.6%). The Central West Region had an increase of 6.5%: the main increase occurred in Goiás (8.9%). The main positive change happened in Amazonas (101.9%), whereas the main fall happened in the Federal District (-18.6%). The main milk producing municipalities are Castro (PR), Patos de Minas (MG) and Piracanjuba (GO).

Milk acquisition in 2008, investigated by the Quarterly Survey of Milk Production, was 19.238 billion liters, an increase of 7.5% in relation to 2007. In regional terms, the Southeast stands out in milk acquisition, accounting for approximately 42.4% of the whole national production of milk. Next comes the South, concentrating 30.3% of the purchases. Minas Gerais is the major state in milk acquisition, 27.5% of total.

São Paulo is the main producer of chicken and quail eggs in Brazil

Honey production had an increase of 8.8% in 2008 in comparison with 2007. The Brazilian honey has gained importance nationally and internationally. Limoeiro do Norte (CE), Apodi (RN) and Picos (PI) are the main national honey producers.

The production of chicken eggs investigated by PPM in 2008 was 3.074 billion dozen, an increase of 3.7% in relation to 2007. The average annual price of the dozen was R$ 1.63. Brazil holds the seventh world position in the production of chicken eggs. China is the main producing country, followed at distance by the United States (FAO). São Paulo is the main national producer of chicken eggs (839.634 million dozens/year) and in 2008 had an increase of 4.1% in relation to 2007.

The production of quail eggs had an increase of 20.4% in relation to 2007. The production of 157.781 million dozens had an average price of R$ 0.70 per dozen. São Paulo is the main national producer of quail eggs (82.837 million dozens) and in 2008 had a production increase of 47.7%, exerting a great impact upon the change nationally observed.