In 2025, the industrial pig farming sector in Santa Catarina maintained its position as the largest producer and exporter of pork in Brazil, making a decisive contribution to the state's economic development. It has consolidated itself as an essential segment of Santa Catarina's agribusiness, representing approximately 251% of the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).<\/p>\n
In assessing the year, the president of the Santa Catarina Meat and Meat Products Industry Union (Sindicarne), Jos\u00e9 Ant\u00f4nio Ribas J\u00fanior, highlighted the performance of the Santa Catarina production chain. The state's leadership is reflected in the fact that it represents 51.2% of the total volume exported by Brazil and 51.9% of export revenue, with its main markets being Japan, the Philippines, China, Mexico, and Chile. To achieve these results, it increased its production volume by 5.9% compared to 2024. As a result, revenue was the best in the historical series: it increased by 12.5%. However, production costs also increased (6.1%).<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nPresident of the Union of Meat and Meat Products Industries of Santa Catarina (Sindicarne), Jos\u00e9 Ant\u00f4nio Ribas J\u00fanior: \u201cOur greatest merit is guaranteeing the full supply of the domestic market and exporting the surplus\u201d \u2013 Photo: Press Release<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The size of Santa Catarina's pork production chain is gaining prominence in the national context. Brazilian production is estimated at up to 5.550 million tons in 2025, a growth of 4.61 TP4T compared to the volume recorded in 2024, which was 5.305 million tons. For 2026, a further increase is expected, with production estimated at up to 5.700 million tons, an increase of 2.71 TP4T over the previous year.<\/p>\n
Citing data from ABPA, Ribas shows that Brazil is following the trajectory of Santa Catarina and projects up to 1.490 million tons exported in 2025, a volume 10% higher than the total of 1.353 million tons shipped in 2024. For 2026, the number could reach 1.550 million tons, with a further increase of 4%.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur greatest achievement is ensuring the full supply of the domestic market and exporting the surplus,\u201d noted the president of Sindicarne. Domestic availability of the protein is expected to grow by 2.71 TP4T this year, with approximately 4.060 million tons projected for 2025. For 2026, the expected growth is 2.21 TP4T, reaching 4.150 million tons. Per capita consumption is expected to rise by 2.31 TP4T in 2025 to 19 kilograms. In 2026, per capita consumption will grow by another 2.51 TP4T, reaching 19.5 kg\/inhabitant\/year.<\/p>\n
Challenges<\/h4>\n
The forecasts for 2026 are moderately optimistic because, according to Sindicarne's projections, the coming year should unfold amidst a scenario of adequate costs and sustained demand for products, both in the domestic and international markets.<\/p>\n
Despite this, the sector will continue to face a hostile business environment due to the "Brazil cost" in the form of high taxes, logistical deficiencies, bureaucracy, and excessive regulations governing the extensive production chain of Brazilian industrial pig farming at all stages of the process \u2013 field production, processing, and marketing.<\/p>\n
"One of the key points of attention for 2026 is preserving our sanitary status because many cases of African swine fever (ASF) are emerging in Europe, and this could represent the opening of new markets for Brazil," the official noted.<\/p>\n
Jos\u00e9 Ribas recalled that Sindicarne has historically demanded the restoration of federal highways with the duplication or construction of third lanes, the expansion of seaports, the completion of railway projects for the construction of at least two essential railway lines.<\/p>\n
The most critical situation is located in western Santa Catarina, the main producing region, which needs the duplication of the BR-282 highway, the recovery of the BR-163 highway and the entire state road network (especially the critical condition of the SC-283 highway), the construction of new water supply systems, new electrical substations and new distribution networks. In addition, it needs a gas pipeline for industrial use, the upgrading of airports, a new Embrapa research center (for pastureland), and the North-South (Chapec\u00f3-Cascavel, a branch of Ferroeste) and East-West (S\u00e3o Miguel do Oeste-Itaja\u00ed) railways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n