MERCOSUR: Pork Market 2025

Pork Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the MERCOSUR pork market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Pork Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, pork production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 12%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of pork production was Brazil (X tons), comprising approx. 66% of total volume. Moreover, pork production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Argentina (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Chile (X tons), with an 8.7% share.

In Brazil, pork production increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (+7.4% per year) and Chile (-0.0% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of pork in MERCOSUR amounted to X kg per head, surging by 3.6% against the previous year. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the pork yield attained the peak level at X kg per head in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for pork production in MERCOSUR reduced to X heads, waning by -3.2% compared with the year before. This number increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 6.8% against the previous year. As a result, the number of producing animals reached the peak level of X heads, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Pork Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas shipments of pork decreased by -3.4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, pork exports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Chile (X tons), creating a 15% share of total exports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the pork exports, with a CAGR of +7.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Chile (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil increased by +5.8 percentage points.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest pork supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

In Brazil, pork exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a mild reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 20%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Brazil amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-1.3%).

Pork Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

Pork imports reduced remarkably to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -21.2% on 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

In value terms, pork imports contracted notably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Chile (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) represented roughly 67% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), together making up a 27% share of total imports. The following importers - Venezuela (X tons) and Peru (X tons) - each reached a 5.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Chile (with a CAGR of +17.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Colombia ($X) and Uruguay ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 79% of total imports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +15.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, falling by -4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 14%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Venezuela ($X per ton) and Peru ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) and Uruguay ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (-0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform