MERCOSUR: Preserved Swine Meat Market 2025

Preserved Swine Meat Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR preserved swine meat market dropped to $X in 2021, waning by -4.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the market value increased by 9.4% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Preserved Swine Meat Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, preserved swine meat production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Preserved Swine Meat Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas shipments of prepared or preserved hams and cuts of swine meat increased by 58% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, preserved swine meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Paraguay (X tons), constituting a 4.5% share of total exports. The following exporters - Argentina (X tons) and Chile (X tons) - each accounted for a 4.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to preserved swine meat exports from Brazil stood at -4.4%. At the same time, Paraguay (+18.9%) and Chile (+14.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +18.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Argentina (-1.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Paraguay and Chile increased by +3.9 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest preserved swine meat supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Paraguay ($X), with a 6.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil totaled -6.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Paraguay (+22.5% per year) and Argentina (-5.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 19%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Preserved Swine Meat Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of prepared or preserved hams and cuts of swine meat, when their volume increased by 25% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 78% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, preserved swine meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Chile represented the major importer of prepared or preserved hams and cuts of swine meat in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 41% of total imports in 2021. Uruguay (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 15% share, followed by Colombia (13%), Paraguay (12%) and Argentina (8.5%). Guyana (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Chile was also the fastest-growing in terms of the prepared or preserved hams and cuts of swine meat imports, with a CAGR of +32.5% from 2012 to 2021. Uruguay experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Paraguay (-1.9%), Colombia (-4.3%), Guyana (-6.0%), Venezuela (-10.7%) and Argentina (-12.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Chile (+38 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Guyana (-2.3 p.p.), Venezuela (-3.4 p.p.), Colombia (-5 p.p.) and Argentina (-17.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported prepared or preserved hams and cuts of swine meat in MERCOSUR, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Uruguay, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Chile amounted to +27.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (-1.0% per year) and Uruguay (-1.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, rising by 19% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Venezuela ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform