Pork production in Brazil's region of Mato Grosso do Sul pork has grown 62% in the past five years. The regions Federation of Agriculture and Livestock (Famasul) credits Rural Credit and Leitão Vida as resources that helped increase both pork production and export. The sector is projected to grow by a further 49% over the next three years, according to a news release from the federation.

Pig farming of Mato Grosso do Sul has already been consolidated as a modern, productive and quality activity. The state has the sixth highest production in the country, with more than 100,000 pig matrices, expected to grow 49% in three years.

Data from the Technical Department of the Famasul System show that in 2022 the state recorded the production of 3.023 million animals, an increase of 55% compared to 2017. Furthermore, the region slaughtered 1.950 million heads. South Mato Grosso pork production also showed good numbers, going from 148 thousand tons in 2017 to 240,000 last year, a growth of 62%.

The evolution of pig farming is the result of greater qualification of producers and benefits that help in the implementation of new technologies.

Access to rural credit, one of the main financing available to producers, grew in Mato Grosso do Sul. According to the Central Bank, until 2018 the value was just over R$ 661,000, and in 2022 it exceeded R$ 107.09 million.

Another financial stimulus offered is Leitão Vida, a state government program that aims to expand pig farming in a modern, competitive way and with the capacity to serve the most demanding markets. In 2022, R$ 50.5 million in incentives were paid, benefiting 246 farms, with 2.1 million pigs slaughtered.

"Investments in the activity are intended for cooperatives and agro-industries with the objective of installing new piglet production units, implementing the semen production centre with the capacity to serve up to 120,000 pig matrices/year and expanding the production capacity of refrigeration plants," said Eliamar Oliveira, economics consultant of the Technical Department of Famasul. "These investments stimulate the addition of value to local production and contribute to the diversification of the South Mato Grosso economy."

With the increase in efficiency on farms, pork from Mato Grosso do Sul meets domestic consumption and is already recognized as a product of excellence outside the country. Between January and June 2023, the state sold US$ 22.45 million and 9.81 thousand tons of pork to 17 countries. The main destinations are Hong Kong, Singapore, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates.