June 8, 2009
Brazilian state to become pork producer
A large grain supply together with a 30 million-people market in the Northeast could turn the West of Bahia state, in Brazil, into a big pork producer, according to Suinoeste, a company created to encourage and develop pig raising in the region.
Bahia currently accounts for 0.33 percent of Brazil's pork and poultry output - the Mid-South accounts for 97.53 percent, while the three southern states of Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Parana account for 69.93 percent of the national production.
Brazilian Association of Pork Farmers (ABCS) president Fabiano Coser said average annual per capita meat consumption in Brazil is 80 kilogrammes, whereas pork consumption is only 13 kilogrammes.
Although Brazil is the world's fourth largest pork producer, meat and poultry output is still much higher. Last year Brazil produced 3.1 tonnes of pork.
According to Coser, Brazilian pork exports have not grown much due to sanitary requirements from importers and to the large global supply.
Japan is the world's biggest pork consumer, but Brazil has not managed to enter that market yet.
