Egg production hits record with expensive meat in Brazil

In 2021, the production of chicken eggs hit a record again in Brazil, indicated this Thursday (22) a survey by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). The country produced 4.8 billion dozen last year, up 1.7% from 2020.

Traditionally, eggs are considered a meat substitute in times of inflationary pressure, as they tend to have more affordable prices. This point was signaled by the IBGE in the PPM (Municipal Livestock Survey) 2021.

“In the domestic market, with the rise in the price of meat, the demand for chicken eggs grew, and the product reached a new production record”, pointed out the survey.

The PPM historical series began in 1974. Egg production has been rising since 1999.

According to the IBGE, the biggest highlight among the municipalities came from Santa Maria de Jetibá (85 km from Vitória), in Espírito Santo. Local production reached 339.5 million dozen in 2021, the highest in the country.

Last year, meats accumulated inflation of 8.45% in Brazil, according to the IPCA (National Index of Consumer Prices), also calculated by the IBGE.

The cuts with the highest increases were filet mignon (30.91%), mutton (17.71%), sirloin (17.36%), liver (14.73%) and muscle (12.02%). .

Despite costing less than meat, chicken eggs have not escaped the famine. The inflation measured by the product in the IPCA was 13.24% until December.

milk parks

The PPM also investigates milk, quail eggs, honey, silkworm cocoons and wool, in addition to chicken eggs, as livestock products. The items had a production value of BRL 91.4 billion in 2021.

Chicken milk and eggs were the most representative. They had a share of 74.5% and 23.9% in the total value, respectively.

Milk production reached 35.305 billion liters in 2021. The result was slightly below the record seen in 2020 (35.316 billion).

The IBGE highlighted that last year was marked by drought and frost, which reduced the quality of pastures and grains used to feed the cows. With the impact on productivity and the increase in costs, there was a disincentive for producers, points out the institute.

The Paraná municipality of Castro (160 km from Curitiba) took the lead in the activity. Local production was 381.7 million liters.

honey grows back

The survey also pointed to a record in honey. National production reached 55.8 thousand tons in 2021. The increase reached 6.4% compared to the previous year.

The leading municipality in honey production was Arapoti (251 km from Curitiba), from Paraná, with 925.6 tons.