Brazil's food manufacturing sector employs 2.1 million in 2024, IBGE reports

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) released its 2024 Annual Industrial Survey, showing that the manufacturing of food products was the largest employer among industrial activities, with 2.1 million workers. Overall industrial employment reached 8.7 million people across 358,400 companies, and transformation industries accounted for 97.1% of that total.

Industrial revenue for 2024 totaled R$ 8.8 trillion, with R$ 7.4 trillion from the sale of industrial products and services. Net sales reached R$ 6.8 trillion, and Value of Industrial Transformation (VTI) amounted to R$ 2.6 trillion, of which 88.8% originated in transformation industries. Food‑product manufacturing contributed 23.0% of net sales, the highest share among sectors. Salaries and other remuneration for industrial workers summed to R$ 481.1 billion, with 94.9% paid within the transformation segment. Larger firms (500+ employees) generated 67.9% of total net revenue.