Overview of Animal Protein Beef, Chicken, and Pork in Brazil (1997 to 2023)
Animal protein; financiais crises; epidemics; climate events; modified Mann-Kendall.
Brazil is recognized as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of animal protein. From an environmental perspective, cattle farming faces challenges related to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, while poultry and swine farming require greater efficiency in water resource use and waste management. The adoption of sustainable practices has proven essential to reducing environmental impacts and meeting international market demands. This research aimed to investigate animal protein production in Brazil from 1997 to 2023, focusing on beef, chicken, and pork. The data used in the study were obtained from IBGE (SIDRA) and analyzed using the R software, employing statistical models, including the modified Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s Slope test. The results indicated continuous growth in chicken meat production, surpassing beef from 2004 onwards, driven by lower production costs and greater acceptance in the international market. Pork production also expanded, stimulated by increased Chinese demand due to the African Swine Fever outbreak. The analysis revealed fluctuations that significantly impacted meat production and consumption, particularly in 2008, 2014, 2017, and 2020, due to the global financial crisis, adverse climate events, internal economic instabilities, trade wars, and logistical restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazil plays a central role in global food security.