Brazilian pork prices hit 14‑year low as May exports reach record

Brazil's pork sector saw live‑pig prices drop to the lowest level since July 2012, with a 40.7% decline from the end of 2025 to May 2026. In the SP‑5 region, the average price fell to a historic minimum, tightening margins for producers. At the same time, the country exported 127,900 tons of pork in May, an 8.8% increase over the same month a year earlier and the highest May volume on record since 1997, despite a 7.5% drop from April.

Feed costs added pressure: the purchasing power of São Paulo pork producers against corn fell to its lowest since February 2023, allowing only 4.94 kg of corn per kilogram of live pork sold. Joice Silva, a zootecnista at Auster Nutrição Animal, emphasized that proper feed management – balanced diets, quality feed, and adequate water – is decisive for animal growth, efficiency and profitability.

The price decline improved pork’s price competitiveness versus beef and chicken, with pork carcass prices in Greater São Paulo falling to R$ 8.67 kg, the lowest real price since October 2018. Industry observers expect a recovery in domestic demand and continued strong export performance could help alleviate the current pricing pressure.