Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazilian market for pig fat free of lean meat grew from 469 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 581 thousand tonnes in 2021. This expansion was driven by the resilience of swine production and active export promotion policies. Large processors like JBS and BRF expanded their processing plants, increasing overall capacity. The African swine fever outbreak in China and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a diversification of export markets to Europe and Mexico, which supported production despite global logistical disruptions. By 2021, the recovery of Chinese demand, the entry of new foreign players through joint ventures, and the launch of new processed fat products further stimulated market growth.

Market volume continued to rise, reaching 620 thousand tonnes in 2022, supported by an increase in per‑capita pork consumption to 20.5 kg annually due to lower prices and changing consumer habits. A 49.9% drop in imports indicated a shift toward domestic supply. Growth then slowed to 623 thousand tonnes in 2023 as the market adjusted to an internal supply glut. Record exports to newly accessed markets like Canada and Mexico, alongside the adoption of cost‑saving feed technologies, helped maintain activity, while stricter state inspection rules affected regional distribution.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil held the third position globally in the production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat.

Top producers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2018-2021

World map of production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2018-2021

Brazil's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, Brazil produced 580.9 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 24%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Brazil was valued at 1 002 million US dollars, a significant 32.9% increase from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 39.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2021, showing a 6.9-fold difference. In 2021, Brazil's cross-border shipments of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat totaled 2 369 tonnes, a sharp increase of 90.3% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2020, at 18.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 349.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, China and Uruguay together accounted for 86.1% of total exports in volume, with other countries forming a diverse but less significant portion.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2021, with a 7.8-fold gap. In 2021, Brazil exported 4 084 thousand US dollars worth of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, indicating a gain of 131.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2020, at 35.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 417.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China and Uruguay were the key destinations for exports in value terms, jointly representing 88.7% of total flows, while other partners had much smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.6 times. In 2021, Brazil imported 2 632 tonnes of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from abroad, up by 5.8% compared to 2020. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019, at 2 880 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 13.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 156.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Chile dominated the partner structure for imports in volume, with a share of 83.7% of total flows; other markets had comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2018 and reached their maximum in 2019, a difference of 2.7 times. In 2021, Brazil imported 4 398 thousand US dollars worth of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, representing a small decrease of 1.8% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2019, at 4 857 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2020, at 7.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 168.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018-2021, Chile and Canada played key roles in imports in value terms of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Brazil, together accounting for 99.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021