Bovine stock in Brazil grew 0.3% in 2014

Despite adverse domestic and global economic scenarios, the cattle farming sector in Brazil closed out 2014 up 0.3% compared to 2013, according to a survey released Thursday (Oct. 8) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The herd reached 212.3 million head, 569,000 more than in 2013.

The drought that began in 2013—which damaged pasture, reduced slaughter and replacement stock and drove up production costs—contributed to the poor result. Nonetheless, Brazil retained its status as the country with the world’s second largest bovine herd, behind only India. The states of Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Pará combined accounted for more than half the country’s stock (54%). Dairy production grew 2.7% in 2014, with 35.2 billion liters, the fifth largest globally.

Translated by Mayra Borges