National cattle herd recovers after two straight years of decrease. With a slight increase (0.4%) in 2019, the number of cattle head in the country reached 214.7 million. Mato Grosso tops the ranking, with 31.7 million head of cattle, and accounts for 14.8% of the national overall, but São Félix do Xingu, in Pará state, is the municipality with the largest number (2.2 million head of cattle).

The production value of the main agricultural products rose 9.0% in 2019, and hit R$59.3 billion. Milk production concentrated 72.8% of that figure, followed by production of hen eggs (25.6%), honey (0.8%), quail eggs (0.6%), wool (0.1%) and silkworm cocoons (0.1%). Considering these products, the Soutiheast Region had the highest value of production, 35.8% of the national total, followed by the South Region, with 30.9% (R$ 18.3 billion). All the Major Regions recorded increases against 2018. Minas Gerais had the highest value of production: R$ 13.0 billion.

The volume of milk produced in 2019 (34.8 billion liters) was the second biggest in the series initiated in 1974, only below that of 2014 (35.1 billion liters). Against 2018, the national output of milk increased 2.7%, whereas the inventory of milked cows (16.3 million) fell 0.5%, which leads to a yield of 2,141 liters/cow/year. The Southeast is, once again, the main producer, with an increase of 4.4% in the volume of milk and a contribution of 34.3% to the national output. Minas Gerais, which has the biggest inventory of milked cows (3.1 million), recorded, in the year, a 0.3% decrease in number.

The poultry overall (1.5 billion head) was practically stable against the 2018 figure, with a change ficou praticamente estável em relação a 201of 0.1% (or 940 thousand head. Among the states, the leaders were Paraná (26.5% of the national overall), São Paulo (14.0%) and Rio Grande do Sul (10.5%); among the municipalities, Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES), Cascavel (PR) and Bastos (SP).

The national output of hen eggs hit a new record: 4.6 billion dozens in 2019, with an increase of 4.2% from 2018. The Southeast accounted for 43.4% of the total and the state of São Paulo was the main producer (25.4%).

The number of hogs and pigs fell by 1.6%, resulting in a total 40.6 million head, but total breeders (4.8 million) recorded a slight increase (0.5%), with rising results for the third straight year. The South Region holds the largest inventory of hogs and pigs and 49.5% of the total, despite the decrease of 2.4% in the year. Santa Catarina leads the ranking, with 7.6 million hogs and pigs, and Toledo, in Paraná state, has the biggest municipal inventory (1.2 million).

Fish farming grew 1.7%, and reached 529.6 thousand metric tons. With an increase of 4.8% in production, the South Region still tops the ranking, and accounts for 32.9% of national fish farming. Tilapia is still the main species produced, with 323.7 thousand metric tons, or 61.1% of the total.

These results come from the Municipal Livestock Survey (PPM) 2019, which also presents data on buffaloes (1.4 million), horses (5.9 million), goats (11,3 million), sheep (19.7 million), quails (17.4 million), quaill eggs (315.6 million dozen), honey (46.0 thousand metric tons), silkworm cocoons (3.1 thousand metric tons), wool (8.3 thousand metric tons) and shearead sheep (2.7 milion metric tons), oysters, scallops and mussels (15.2 thousand metric tons) and captive shrimp (54.3 thousand metri tons).

Mato Grosso and Northeast Region lead increase of cattle herd

With a slight increase of 0.4% in 2019, cattle herd in Brazil rose once more after two consecutive years of decrease, and reached 214.7 million head of cattle. Mato Grosso, Goiás and Minas Gerais kept their positions as holders of the biggest herds. Together, they accounted for 35.7% of the total.

Mato Grosso registered an increase of 5.1% against 2018, and had a total 31.7 million animals, being responsible for 14.8% of the national overall. Goiás kept its inventory stable and closed the year at 22.8 million head of cattle. Minas Gerais had an increase of 1.0% and reached 22.0 million head of cattle.

With 74.0 million head of cattle, the Central West remained as the leader, holding 34.5% of all the cattle herd in Brazil. The Northeast, with 28.6 million, recorded the biggest increase in absolute figures: 756.3 thousand head of cattle, or 2.7% more. The South and Southeast recorded decreases of 2.8% and 0.2%, respectively.

Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul were responsible for the reduction of herd in the South. With 12.0 million head, Rio Grande do Sul recorded a decrease of 4.6%. In Paraná, decrease reached 3.3%, a total 9.0 million head of cattle. In the Southeast, decreases came from the states of São Paulo (-2.6%) and Rio de Janeiro (-0.8%).

Among the municipalities, São Felix do Xingu (PA) remained as the leader with 2.2 million head of cattle. Corumbá (MS) was in the second position with 1.8 million. Bela da Santíssima Trindade (MT) went from the seventh to the third position, after an increase of 14.0% of its herd, and reached 1.2 million animals.

Value of production of the main agricultural products increases by 9.0% in 2019

The value of production of agricultural products increased by 9.0% in value in 2019 and reached R$59.3 billion. Milk production accounted for 72.8% of that figure, followed by production of hen eggs (25.6%), honey (0.8%), quail eggs (0.6%), wool (0.1%) and silkworm cocoons (0.1%).

The highest volume of production for these products was registered in the Southeast Region, which accounted for 35.8% of the national overall, that is, R$ 21.2 billion. Then, with 30.9% of the total is the Southeast Region, with R$ 18.3 billion. The Northeast accounted for 16.4% of the overall figure (R$ 9.7 billion), the Central West, for 11.7% (R$ 6.9 billion) and the North for 5.2% (R$3.1 billion).

All the Major Regions recorded increases in value of production from 2018 to 2019. The Southeast topped the list, followed by the South and Northeast.

The five highest figures among the states were those of Minas Gerais (R$ 13.0 billion), Paraná (R$ 7.2 billion), Rio Grande do Sul (R$ 6.3 billion), São Paulo (R$ 5.9 billion) and Goiás (R$ 4.8 billion), all of them recording increase against 2018. From the 27 Federation Units, only five registered decreases in value of ptoduction: Rondônia, Maranhão, Piauí, Acre and Roraima.

With 4.8 billion liters, milk production is the highest since 1974

The national output of milk in 2019 was of 34.8 billion liter, which means an increase of 2.7% and the second highest figure in the time series initiated in 1974, only second to the output of 2014 (35.1 billion liters).

Having recorded an increase of 4.4%, the Southeast is, once more, the biggest producer of milk, with a 34.3% participation, a position held by the South Region since 2014. This Major Region, in turn, now accounts for 33.4% of the output. The Northeast is another highlight, with an increase of 8.4%, the highest proportional figure at regional level. Minas Gerais remained as the main producer, with 27.1% of the total and an increase of 5.7%.

The inventory of milked cows in 2019 reached 16.3 million, 0.5% below the figure a year ago. The three main representative states recorded decreases: Minas Gerais (-0.3%), Goiás (-2.3%) and Paraná (-3.7). Minas Gerais kept the biggest herd, with 3.1 million head of cattle, which is equivalent to 19.3% of the national overall. Goiás remains in the second position, with 1.9 million head, and Paraná in the third position, with 1.3 million milked cows.

With an increase in output and a decrease in the number of cattle head, 2019 recorded a decrease with gain in productivity of the milk-producing herd, and it reached 2,141 liters of milk/cow/year. The South Region recorded the main productivity figures, led by Santa Catarina (3,816 liters of milk/cow/year).

The average national price paid by a liter of milk rose by 6,7% in 2019, and reached R$ 1.24 per liter. Value of milk production increased by 9.6%, a result of combined increases in production and prices, which amounted to R$43.1 billion.

The number of milk-producing municipalities reached 5,513. Among the ten main ones, seven are from Minas Gerais. The first position, however, was that of Paraná, in the municipality of Castro, with 280 million liters, despite the reduction of 4.2%. In the second position there was Patos de Minas (MG) recorded an increase of 1.5% and reached 195.8 million liters of milk. Carambeí (PR), number three in the ranking, accounted for an output of 180.0 million liters of milk.

South and Southeast share leadership in poultry farming

In 2019, the poultry overall – roosters, hens, chickens, pullets and chicks – in the country reached 1.5 billion head, with a slight change (0.1%, or 940 thousand animals more) against 2018.

The South Region, which has led this group since 1983 has 46.0% of the poultry in the country. The Southeast came in the second position, with 25.4%. Among the states, Paraná is the leader, with 26.5%, followed by São Paulo (14.0%), Rio Grande do Sul (10.5%), Santa Catarina (8.9%) and Minas Gerais (8.2%).

Considering hen estimates alone, the scenario is reversed. The Southeast, with an increase of 1.7% and 94.9 million animals, was in the first position, and accounted for 38.1% of the national total of 249.1 million. The Southeast was number two, with 24.4%. The states accounting for the biggest contributions were São Paulo (22.1%), Paraná (10.2%), Minas Gerais (8.3%), Rio Grande do Sul (7.7%) and Espírito Santo (7.5%).

As for municipalities, Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES) kept the biggest inventory of hens and poultry. For the former (SP), Primavera do Leste (MT), São Bento do Una (PE) and Itanhandu (MG) stood out. For the latter, Cascavel (PR), Bastos (SP), Itaberaí (GO) and Rio Verde (GO).

Production of hen eggs reaches 4.6 billion dozen and hits new record

The national output of hen eggs increased by 4.2% against 2018 and hit a new record: 4.6 billion dozen in 2019, with a total R$15.1 billion. The Southeast accounted for 43.4% of the overall produced in 2019, and the state of São Paulo was the main national producer (25.4%).

Among the 5 439 municipalities producing eggs in 2019, the five main ones in the hen inventory ranking are: Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES), Bastos (SP), Primavera do Leste (MT), São Bento do Una (PE) and Itanhandu (MG).

Participation of Espírito Santo in the production of quails and quail eggs records increase

In 2019, both the inventory and the output of hen eggs recorded increases (3.4% and 5.9% respectively). That means 17.4 million poultry units and 315.6 million dozen eggs.

The Southeast accounts for the majority of both: 64% of the quails and 67.3% of the production of eggs, with a highlight to São Paulo (23.8% of the quails and 23.6% of the egg), Espírito Santo (22.4% of the poultry and 25.9% of the egg production) and Minas Gerais (16.1% of the poultry and 16.6% of the eggs). In 2018, São Paulo led both series, but in the latest editions of the survey, its number of animals and amount of eggs produced remained stable. On the other hand, Espírito Santo recorded increases in both cases (10.0% in poultry and 14.9% in eggs), a result of investments in activities in the Major Region, and it was a highlight, once more, in this segment, surpassing São Paulo and leading the production of quail eggs and quail production in 2019.

In the municipal ranking, Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES) is in the first t position both in terms of animals and in production of eggs, followed by Bastos (SP).

Bahia leads goat and sheep raising

Goat and sheep raising kept the increase in 2019: respectively 5.3% and 4.1%, which amounted to 11.3 million. The Northeast was responsible for 94.6% of the total goat and 68.5% of sheep. Bahia is the main state for both, with 31.0% of the goat herd and 22.8% of the sheep herd.

The three municipalities with the biggest number of goats were Casa Nova, Juazeiro and Curaçá – all of which are located in Bahia. Casa Nova (BA) also had the biggest inventory of sheep, followed by Santana do Livramento (RS), Remanso (BA) and Juazeiro (BA).

Herd of hogs and pigs falls by 1.6% in 2019

In 2019, there were 40.6 million hogs and pigs, decrease of 1,6%. However, the number of breeders recorded slight increase for the third consecutive year and reached 4.8 million, an increase of 0.5%.

Despite the decrease of 2.4%, the South still holds the biggest cattle herd, and concentrates 49.5% of the total, with 20.0 million hogs and pigs. Only the Northeast recorded increase (2.1%), with a total 5.9 million hogs and pigs.

Santa Catarina is still the leader, with 7.6 million hogs and pigs, followed by Paraná (6.8 million) and Rio Grande do Sul (5.6 million). Among the tem main producing states, six recorded decreases: Santa Catarina (-4.8%), Paraná (-0.8), Rio Grande do Sul (-1.0%), Minas Gerais (-1.3%), Mato Grosso (-5.6%) and Goiás (-4.6%).

Among the municipalities, the biggest herd were those in Toledo (PR), 1.2 million, Rio Verde (GO), 700.0 thousand, and Uberlândia (MG), 624.5 thousand animals.

Production of honey increases by 8.5% and reaches 46.0 thousand metric tons

In 2019, the national production of honey reached 46.0 thousand metric tons, an increase of 8.5% against the previous year. On the other hand, due to the fall of the average price of honey for the second year in a row, there was a decrease of 1.8% in its value of production, which amounted to R$493.7 million.

The South Region remains as the main producer, with 38.2% of the total, followed by the Northeast Region, which, with an increase of 10.7% (1.5 thousand metric tons more), reached 34.3% of the national output. The Southeast (21.4%) was number two.

Paraná had the biggest output (15.7%), followed by Rio Grande do Sul (13.6%), Piauí (10.9%), São Paulo (9.8%) and Minas Gerais (9.2%). At municipal level, Ortigueira (PR), Botucatu (SP) and Arapoti (PR) were the main producers.

Fish production grows 1.7%, with a highlight to tilapia farming

Fish farming in Brazil produced 529.6 thousand metric tons in 2019, with an increase of 1.7% against 2018. The South Region remains in the leadership, and accounts for 32.9% of national fish farming and an increase of 4.8% in output.

Since 2016, Paraná has taken the leadership of the ranking in the states (23.9%). Nova Aurora (PR) wa the main producing municipality, followed by Morada Nova de Minas (MG), Ariquemes (RO) and Toledo (PR).

With an increase of 3.5% in the year, Tilápia remained as the main species, with more than 323.7 thousand metric tons, or 61.1% of national fish farming. Its production is mainly concentrated in the South and Southeast. Tambaqui, the second most produced species (19.1%), prevails in the North Region, and amounts to 101.1 thousand metric tons. There is also information about raising of other species, such as tambacu and tambatinga, carpa, pacu and patinga, pintado, etc.

Production of shrimp increases for the second year in a row

The production of captive shrimp increased by 18.8%, and amounted to 54.3 thousand metric tons in 2019. The Northeast is responsible for almost all the production in the country, with 99.6% of the national overall. In that Major Region, highlights were Rio Grande do Norte (38.2%) and Ceará (30.8%). Pendências (RN) still leads the ranking of 169 shrimp producing municipalities in 2019, followed by Aracati (CE), Canguaretama (RN) and Arês (RN).