Brazil's cattle slaughter shows decrease in 2009

Official Brazilian cattle slaughter during 2009 fell 3% on-year to 27.98 million head, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

However, total Brazilian slaughter is estimated at around 40 million head as a large percentage of kills are not inspected and considered informal. Products from these animals are primarily sold in local butcheries and markets.

Despite the fall in slaughter, IBGE's data reports a slight 0.3% increase in beef production to 6.64 million tonnes cwt in 2009 - the result of a 3% increase in average carcase weights to 237.3kg/head.

Most noticeable is the three year decrease in cow kills, which fell to 31.2% of total slaughter, as producers continue to retain females to rebuild the herd after the early 2000's liquidation - influenced by low cattle prices, booming global demand and a competitive currency.

Total Brazilian production is forecast to rise 2% in 2010, fuelled by higher cattle supplies and a rise in export and domestic demand.