T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Food industry in Brazil – statistics & facts
Revenue of the food market in Brazil has grown drastically over the past decade or so, more than tripling between 2010 and 2023, reaching a value of over 1,161 billion Brazilian reals as of the most recent period. It was among the highest-grossing in the world, and accounted for nearly eleven percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
Most of the country’s leading food and beverage companies are involved in food processing, particularly meat. This is evidenced by the country's large agricultural area and the high number of animals slaughtered for food. The area of harvested agricultural land in the country has grown considerably in recent years, reaching a total of nearly 96 million hectares in 2023, and contributing to the deforestation problem the country is experiencing. Both pasture and agricultural area have grown, and together accounted for 26.7 percent of the total land area in 2022.
The combination of rice and beans which has always been the basis of the traditional Brazilian diet, mainly because of its high nutritional value and low economic cost, has lost relevance. In fact, in the past two decades, per capita consumption of beans decreased by approximately 50 percent, and rice consumption is expected to decline in the coming years. On the other hand, according to recent forecasts, consumption of fish is expected to increase slightly, while that of dairy products will remain stable.
Cargill and Bunge, two U.S. based companies, also operated in food processing and production in Brazil, but were leading companies in the country’s agribusiness sector.
The Brazilian food industry has seen growth and is poised for further positive development as it increases its contribution to the country's gross domestic product.
The importance of the meat industry
In Brazil, a country famous worldwide for its barbecues and steakhouses, it is not surprising that the meat sector is so prominent. Poultry was the largest segment, and its meat was a favorite among Brazilians, with an estimated 30 kilograms per capita consumed in 2024. In 2023, meat products accounted for 12.4 percent of Brazilian food and beverage retail sales. The meat sector was not only relevant within national borders, but also abroad, as Brazil exported 9.9 million tons of meat, more than half of which was chicken.The combination of rice and beans which has always been the basis of the traditional Brazilian diet, mainly because of its high nutritional value and low economic cost, has lost relevance. In fact, in the past two decades, per capita consumption of beans decreased by approximately 50 percent, and rice consumption is expected to decline in the coming years. On the other hand, according to recent forecasts, consumption of fish is expected to increase slightly, while that of dairy products will remain stable.
An overview of the leading brands
JBS, was the top food and beverage company in the country based on revenue, followed by Marfrig another major beef producer. Ambev, Brazil’s largest beverage company, ranked third and is the only beverage company in the top five. BRF, a large food manufacturer marketing brands such as Sadia and Perdigão, also ranked amongst the leading five food companies in the country.Cargill and Bunge, two U.S. based companies, also operated in food processing and production in Brazil, but were leading companies in the country’s agribusiness sector.
The Brazilian food industry has seen growth and is poised for further positive development as it increases its contribution to the country's gross domestic product.
