Severe floods have struck the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, leading to catastrophic losses in the livestock sector. Thousands of hogs and poultry perished as rising waters submerged entire towns, causing significant disruptions to one of the world's leading meat exporters.
Valdecir Folador, head of the local hog producers lobby ACSURS, reported that approximately 12,600 hogs were lost across 30 affected farms. These losses include suppliers to major meatpackers BRF and JBS, although the companies have yet to comment on the situation.
The poultry sector faced even greater devastation, with ASGAV, representing local processors and farmers, estimating total losses at nearly 182.9 million reais ($35.8 million). Around 279,000 poultry destined for slaughter and 150,000 laying hens died due to the floods. Additionally, four meatpacking plants were halted, exacerbating the crisis.
Rio Grande do Sul plays a pivotal role in Brazil's meat exports, accounting for over 24% of pork and more than 16% of chicken exports. The port of Rio Grande, a key hub for these exports, was also disrupted by landslides and blocked roads, affecting rail links and further straining the supply chain.
With around 5 million hogs on farms in the region, the immediate losses are staggering. However, the long-term impacts may be even more severe as access to food and water supplies was cut off for several days, leading to reduced animal weights and challenges in maintaining farm operations.
Farmers supplying BRF's plant in the Lajeado area suffered the most, with an estimated 60% of their hogs lost. The plant, capable of processing 3,000 hogs daily, now faces significant operational challenges.
The aftermath of the floods raises concerns about future resilience and the ability of farmers and meatpackers to recover from such devastating natural disasters.
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Thousands of hogs, poultry perish in flood-hit Brazilian state
cgtn.com
