Is Brazil's third-place ranking in global pork exports here to stay?

Brazil ended 2025 occupying, for the first time, the third position in the world ranking of pork exports. This data is noteworthy, but it doesn't stand in isolation. It's the result of a series of movements involving changes in international trade, demand rearrangements, strategic decisions in the field and in the industry, and a productive development that has been underway for years. Given this scenario, the central question is not only the position achieved, but whether this progress is structural or circumstantial – and whether it can be sustained in the coming years.

Surveys by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) indicate that Brazilian pork shipments totaled 1.510 million tons in 2025, a volume 11.61 times higher than that recorded in 2024, when exports totaled 1.352 million tons. This is a historical record for the sector. In terms of revenue, foreign sales reached US$3.619 billion, a growth of 19.31 times compared to the US$3.033 billion of the previous year.

With this performance, Brazil surpassed Canada and moved into third place among the world's largest pork exporters, behind only the United States and the European Union, considered an economic bloc. Definitive confirmation of this position still depends on the final release of Canadian data, but the move already repositions the country in the global pork trade.

According to ABPA president Ricardo Santin, this progress cannot be interpreted as an isolated or merely opportunistic phenomenon. “Confirmation of this position still depends on the final release of data from Canada. In any case, I would say that this progress is primarily a result of structural factors in Brazilian pig farming, even though the international context has accelerated this movement at certain times. Brazil has been building this position over many years, based on animal health, production organization, integration between industry and producers, and gradual access to markets,” he states.

According to Santin, cyclical factors also played a significant role, but they alone do not explain the result. “It is evident that trade disputes, demand fluctuations, and health events in other regions of the world created windows of opportunity. But these were only seized because Brazil was prepared. It wasn't opportunistic or episodic growth. It was the consolidation of a solid technical and productive base, which allowed us to respond when the global market needed us,” he adds.

Change in the landscape of international destinations.

One of the most relevant elements of 2025 was the change in the profile of destinations for Brazilian pork. For the first time in years, China ceased to be the main buyer, giving way to the Philippines, which became the largest destination for the national protein.

The Philippines imported 392,900 tons of Brazilian pork in 2025, a growth of 54.51% compared to 2024. Following them are China, with 159,200 tons (a decrease of approximately 331%), Chile, with 118,600 tons (+4.91%), Japan, with 114,400 tons (+22.41%), and Hong Kong, with 110,900 tons (+3.71%).

The Chinese decline occurred in a context of rebuilding the local livestock herd, reducing the need for imports. At the same time, countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America increased their purchases, absorbing a significant portion of the Brazilian supply.

“There has been a significant shift in the landscape of export destinations. The Philippines has consolidated its position as the largest importer of Brazilian pork, and other markets, such as Japan and Chile, have taken center stage among the top five importers. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the process of diversifying the destinations of Brazilian pork, which reduces risks, expands opportunities, and reinforces Brazil's presence in the international market, supporting positive expectations for this year,” highlights Santin.

According to the president of ABPA, this diversification represents a watershed moment for the sector. "Without a doubt, this diversification is one of the most significant developments in Brazilian pig farming in recent years. Reducing excessive dependence on a single market was also driven by a strategic decision that brings stability and reduces risks," he states.

Santin adds that the new configuration changes the sector's profile. “Today, the Philippines has consolidated itself as a central partner, alongside markets such as Japan, Chile, and other countries in Asia and Latin America. This changes the sector's profile, which now operates with different sanitary requirements, consumption patterns, and contract models. This capillarity makes Brazilian pig farming more resilient and less exposed to abrupt political or demand fluctuations in a single country,” he assesses.

High production, stable consumption, and exportable surplus.

The increase in exports occurred against a backdrop of high production. Data for 2025 has not yet been consolidated by ABPA, but indicates growth. In 2024, Brazilian pork production reached 5.305 million tons. Per capita consumption was estimated at 18.6 kg, indicating a relatively stable domestic market capable of absorbing significant volumes without hindering export growth.

This balance between domestic supply and exportable surplus is cited as one of the pillars of the Brazilian model. “Recent growth is much more associated with productivity gains than with a simple expansion of production. There was an increase in production, yes, but it was gradual and planned. The great differentiator of Brazilian pig farming in recent years has been efficiency,” says Santin.

According to him, the advances occurred on multiple fronts. “We made progress in genetics, management, nutrition, health, and integration. This allowed us to produce more with the same productive base, with better feed conversion, lower mortality, and greater standardization. This is more sustainable growth, which reduces risks and provides predictability. All of this is guided by market demand, whether domestic or international,” he adds.

Supply, domestic market and equilibrium

The growth in production and exports inevitably raises questions about the risks of imbalance between supply and demand. According to Santin, the sector has been able to manage this equation.

“This is a point that the sector is monitoring very closely, with each company making its own strategic choices regarding its own production. Up to now, there has been a balance between supply and demand. The Brazilian domestic market continues to absorb significant volumes, with relatively stable consumption, while exports act as a balancing valve,” he states.

He emphasizes that the expansion is not happening in isolation from the market. “Brazilian production is not detached from the market. The expansion occurs gradually, guided by demand signals identified by the companies themselves. The diversification of destinations and sanitary predictability help precisely to avoid imbalances,” he says.

South: the export axis

Brazilian performance is based on a concentrated territorial base. Santa Catarina accounts for more than half of Brazilian pork exports, consolidating its historical leadership in the sector. The state broke records for volume and revenue in 2025, with a strong presence in markets such as Japan, the Philippines, and China, in addition to significant growth in Mexico.

In Paraná, Frimesa Cooperativa Central plays a key role. The cooperative is responsible for more than half of the pork exported by the state and, in 2025, accounted for 8.21% of Brazilian pork exports.

According to Frimesa's president, Elias Zydek, the international pork trade is highly dependent on external factors. "Global pork trade between countries represents approximately 81% of total world production. This fact confirms that production is destined for self-consumption by individual countries. Therefore, global trade growth (exports) depends on growth in per capita consumption and a reduction in domestic production," he states.

Zydek points out that Brazil has the conditions to occupy this space. “In this context, Brazil has a competitive production system to fill the gap and meet the increased demand. The pork market is highly dependent on external factors such as trade agreement requirements, sanitary regulations, trade barriers from tariffs, quotas and reservations, and exchange rate policy,” he notes.

Investments and industrial expansion

The growth in exports is accompanied by structural investment decisions. Master Agroindustrial, in Videira (SC), operates with 40,000 breeding sows in a vertically integrated system, producing approximately 1.1 million finished pigs per year. Around 350,000 animals are sold live; the remainder is destined for domestic and international markets.

The company announced an expansion focused exclusively on exports. “We will expand the herd by 20,000 to 22,000 breeding sows, but we will not increase the supply of live pigs. We will increase it because our industrial capacity is growing. We will go from slaughtering 3,000 pigs per day to 5,000. And all this growth is directed not towards the domestic market, but exclusively towards the foreign market,” says the CEO of Master Agroindustrial, Mario Faccin.

At Frimesa, planning follows the same logic of gradual growth. "The expansion of exports will be met by the gradual increase in the number of breeding sows by affiliated cooperatives and by the continuous improvement of productivity in the production system," says Zydek.

The cooperative's industrial plan aims to reach 15,000 pigs slaughtered per day by 2027. Between 2027 and 2032, an expansion to 23,000 pigs slaughtered per day is planned, with the implementation of a new processing line.

Supporting third place

Brazil's consolidation as the world's third-largest pork exporter is occurring in an environment of increasing competition. While Brazil has diversified markets and maintained competitive costs, Canada has faced challenges and more stagnant production, losing relative momentum in global trade.

According to Zydek, Brazil has the conditions to maintain its achieved position, although the scenario demands constant attention. “Brazil will consolidate this position for a long time, due to the good comparative and competitive advantages we have in pig farming. The biggest challenges lie in the geopolitical context, international relations, macroeconomic policy, and possible barriers that may be created,” he states.

The executive also highlights the importance of adapting to market demands. “The pig production system in Brazil has already reached a good level of competitiveness. Frimesa has implemented the Certified Pig Program, which meets all the requirements of the international market,” he says.

From an industrial standpoint, this shift in status implies new challenges. “Brazil is already integrated into the international market with its highly competitive production system. The challenge from now on is to meet any new demands that may arise, such as the needs or choices of consumers,” Zydek points out.

According to Ricardo Santin, Brazil is capable of maintaining its position, but the ranking should not be treated as an end in itself. "I believe Brazil is capable of sustaining this position in the coming years, but it's important to avoid a static interpretation of the ranking. International trade is dynamic, and changes can always occur," he states.

“What gives us confidence is that Brazil has solid structural factors: recognized animal health standards, productive capacity, efficiency, and market diversification. This puts us in a comfortable position to maintain relevance. But it is important to emphasize: we do not work with the goal of 'defending positions in rankings.' Our focus is on being a reliable, predictable, and responsible supplier. If we continue to fulfill this role, the ranking position will be a natural consequence,” stresses the president of ABPA.

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