The poultry sector in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul has been severely impacted by recent floods, leading to significant losses for farmers and processors and likely causing disruptions in meat production in one of the world’s largest food-exporting nations.
According to ASGAV, a local poultry producers’ association, the catastrophic floods resulted in estimated losses amounting to 182.9 million reais ($35.8 million). The deluge affected approximately 20 poultry farms and submerged feed factories, leading to the death of an estimated 279,000 broiler chickens and 150,000 laying hens. In addition, operations at four meatpacking plants were halted due to the flooding, though ASGAV did not specify which plants were affected.
The floods have not only impacted the poultry industry but also the broader agricultural sector in Rio Grande do Sul. The state is a critical hub for Brazil’s meat exports, contributing 16.23% of the nation’s chicken exports. The port of Rio Grande, vital for these exports, also suffered disruptions due to landslides and blocked roads and rail links, which further exacerbated the situation.
The broader agricultural community in Rio Grande do Sul has also faced severe challenges. Valdecir Folador, head of the local hog producers’ lobby ACSURS, reported that hog farmers lost around 12,600 pigs as entire towns were submerged. This loss included suppliers to major meat processors BRF and JBS. Folador emphasized that the total number of hogs in the state is approximately 5 million, and the full extent of indirect losses is still being assessed. These losses are compounded by roadblocks that have hampered access to essential supplies such as food and water.
The flooding has forced farmers to ration feed, which has led to a decrease in animal weights and potential long-term effects on production. Particularly hard hit were farmers supplying BRF’s Lajeado plant, with estimates suggesting they lost at least 60% of their hogs due to the rains. This plant alone has the capacity to process 3,000 hogs daily, highlighting the scale of the impact on local meat production.
The immediate future for the poultry and broader meat industries in Rio Grande do Sul remains uncertain as they grapple with the aftermath of the floods and work to restore operations and mitigate further losses.
