Slaughters in 2023 are of lighter cattle – 05/16/2023 – Vaivém

Cattle slaughter in this first quarter of the year were lighter than those for the same periods in 2021 and 2022. On average, each animal weighed 259.4 kg.

For now, the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) has only indicated the number of animals slaughtered and the total weight of carcasses in the period. When the institute makes a more detailed disclosure, it will probably indicate a higher number of cow slaughters.

The assessment is by Thiago Bernardino de Carvalho, a researcher at Cepea (Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics). For him, there should also be a greater supply of lighter cattle, since the profit margin in creation is smaller, and the price of the calf has been recording a sharp drop.

The IBGE numbers may also show a loss of productivity, in relation to the same previous quarters. Even so, however, it remains elevated. It is the third largest in the period, inferior only to those of 2021 and 2022, when the animals shed 263 and 264 kg, respectively.

Evolution of technology for fattening, nutrition, genetics and improvement of animal quality have allowed weight gain. In 2000, the average weight of the animal was 225 kg, a volume that rose to 239 kg in 2010, and to 253 in 2020, according to data from the researcher.

The drop in weight this year may also have been due to the return of the animal that was in the fattening phase to pasture, due to the high cost of grains. A trend that could change now with the decline in corn prices.

A bag of cereal is being negotiated at R$ 59, according to Cepea. Two years ago, in this same period, it was at R$ 100.

Bernardino says he is worried about the supply of grain next year. There is a loss of profitability margin for the producer, who may use lower quality seed and fertilizer. “I don’t know what level of technology will be used in crops in the next harvest, but this could impact the protein sector”, he says.

From January to March of this year, 7.31 million cattle were slaughtered, 4.7% more than in the first quarter of 2022. Analysts from Agrifatto point to this increase also as a movement in the livestock cycle, with more females being discarded due to at low calf prices.

In the same period, the weight of carcasses added up to 1.9 million tons, 3% more, according to the IBGE.

Slaughter of pigs and chicken also increased at the beginning of the year. The pork sector is seeking market equilibrium, after so many oscillations, and the chicken sector increased accommodation last year and started the year more firmly, says Bernardino.

Swine slaughter is also encouraged by external demand. The pork export volume reaches 70 to 90 thousand tons per month, a level previously occupied by beef. This already reaches 140 thousand tons, on average.

Pork carcass weight rose to 1.29 million tons in the first quarter, 3.5% more than in 2022. Chicken volume was 3.43 million tons, 6.4% more.

The IBGE points out, however, a retreat in the collection of milk. In the first three months of the year, 5.83 billion liters were industrialized, 1.6% less than in 2022.

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