Understand pig farming and its importance for Brazil

Have you ever stopped to think about the importance of pig farming for Brazil? This is one of the most important sectors of livestock farming and stands out for its production versatility.

Through pig farming, in addition to meat, there are many other products that can be sold, which makes it highly profitable for those who invest in the sector.

But is it worth investing in this area? What are the advantages of this type of production? 

These and other questions will be answered throughout today’s content, keep reading to check it out!

What is pig farming? 

When we talk about pig farming, we are referring to the livestock sector responsible for the production of pork and other related products.

This is one of the most relevant sectors globally, as pork products are highly marketable throughout the world. 

Compared to cattle farming (production of beef for sale), we can consider that pig farming is a cheaper option to start with, both due to the care required and the production price itself.

It is worth mentioning that in addition to meat production, this sector is also highly relevant for research related to diseases, since production helps in the discovery of bacteria, viruses and methods of curing and preventing diseases that affect animals and sometimes reach humans.

It is estimated that this sector annually produces more than 100 million tons of meat worldwide, making it an important export and local supply product for several countries.

++Organic Meat Production: Health and Sustainability (agropecnews.com.br).

How important is the area for Brazil?

By now you have certainly understood that pig farming is very important for the world economy, as it is a highly relevant export product.

As a result, producing countries such as China, the European Union, the United States and Brazil tend to have a significant part of their economy supported by this agricultural sector.

But, speaking specifically about Brazil, we must know that, according to the Overview of Brazilian Poultry and Pig Farming, in 2023 pig farming produced more than 5 million tons of pork.

Of this number, around 1.2 million tonnes were for export, which represents a financial return of R$164 billion to GDP, resulting from the production and employability resulting from the sector.

For this reason, from a financial point of view, pig farming can be considered one of the most important sectors of agriculture in Brazil, as it places the country in 4th position among the largest pig producers in the world.

However, it is worth mentioning that pig farming is not only important for the country's export sector, since most of the production is used for domestic supply.

For this reason, pigs produced in Brazil are extremely important for guaranteeing food and subsistence for the population.

Advantages of investing in pig farming in Brazil

At this point you already understand that investing in pig farming is a smart idea for those who want to make money from one of the most marketable products in the entire world.

And, if you can't start with a large production for export, don't worry, because as we have seen, this sector is also essential for local supply.

When we talk about local supply, we are also referring to the work of small producers, who sell their products to nearby communities and thereby help to increase local income.

So, whatever your situation, investing in pig farming can be very worthwhile. And if you’re wondering what makes this sector so advantageous, check out 3 highlights below.

Product versatility

The great advantage of pigs is that the animal's utilization is almost 100%, from the meat, to the fat and parts that are not useful in other animals, such as feet, ears and head, are saleable in pigs.

In addition, pigs are the main raw materials for sausages, so tissues and cartilage are also useful for the food market.

For this reason, investing in pig farming means betting on products with a low loss rate, which is interesting for those seeking maximum use and revenue.

Ease of sale with pig farming

While pig farming allows for maximum utilization in the production of food products, on the other hand, sales opportunities are also broad.

This is because hams, meats, feijoada products and even pork rinds are usually popular in butcher shops and markets in any region of Brazil.

Therefore, those who produce pigs rarely have their product sitting idle, as sales are almost certain.

In the livestock sector, the production cost is one of the lowest

Although poultry is easier to produce, pigs are animals that are easier to handle than cattle.

Due to their size and eating habits, caring for pigs ends up being easier, although the health of the animals should not be neglected due to the risk of disease.

Therefore, if you want to start investing in livestock farming, but don't have much space or resources for premium feed, pigs are more resistant and easier to handle than other animals in the sector.

Is it worth investing in this sector?

After having seen the main advantages of pig farming in Brazil, it is clear that yes, it is worth investing in this sector to make a profit.

This is because this is a relatively simple production, highly profitable and with good sales projections, so the chance of loss is low when compared to other livestock sectors.

However, we recommend that you study the sector, as pig treatment must be carried out correctly to ensure safety and success in production.

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