July 30, 2014

Brazil's cattle herd expected to reach record high this year

Brazil's cattle herd is expected to grow 2% this year to a record 198.7 million head, according to a report sponsored by analysts Informa Economics FNP.

The report says the increase is due to better management and more investment in the maintenance of pastures. Slaughters are expected to increase 0.9% to 43.3 million head, while beef production is forecast to rise 2.3% to 8.5 million tonnes.

Brazil has the world's largest commercial cattle herd, which has grown continuously over the past decade with only two declining years since 2005.

Brazil is also the world's largest beef exporter. The country is expected to export 2.1 million tonnes of beef this year, an increase of 17%.