New investments boost pig farming in MS

Pig farming in Mato Grosso do Sul is going through a decisive moment. With the status of a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination about to be made official on the 29th, the sector is preparing for a leap in production, the opening of new markets and the attraction of investments. The announcement was made during the VII Pig Farming Development Forum in MS, held this Tuesday (13), in Dourados. The event, held by the Mato Grosso do Sul Pig Farmers Association (Asumas), brought together more than one thousand and one hundred people, including producers, political leaders, representatives of the agribusiness and agricultural institutions in a debate on the present and future of pig farming in the state. The agenda included topics such as sustainability, training, public policies and expansion of production.

According to Rogério Beretta, Executive Secretary for Sustainable Economic Development at Semadesc, pig farming has gained prominence as one of the most dynamic production chains in the state. “We have the two main meatpacking plants in the state in the process of doubling production, which demonstrates our potential. It is an activity that generates technology, employment and income in both the North and South of the state. And we continue, together with Asumas, to seek to attract new investments, because we know that the sector has a lot of room to grow,” said Beretta.

The achievement of international certification, which certifies Mato Grosso do Sul as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination, was also celebrated. State deputy Renato Câmara highlighted the role of producers in the achievement. “The government showed the way, but it was each of you who made the difference, working in the shed, doing the day-to-day work. Now we will have a new dimension of marketing, which will further strengthen our pig farming,” he said.

The superintendent of Senar/MS, Lucas Galvan, reinforced the importance of innovation and knowledge to maintain the state's leading role in national pig farming. "We have to continue investing in training, management, and looking at issues such as carbon credits and labor. What we have done so far has made us a reference, and this is what will ensure the continuation of this leading role," he pointed out.

For the president of Asumas, Renato Spera, the forum consolidates the strength of the union between producers and reaffirms the entity's commitment to the sustainable development of the chain. "We are living in a unique moment. The pig farming industry in Mato Grosso do Sul is mature, structured and ready to grow even more. We have been working hard to represent the interests of pig farmers, seek solutions to the challenges of the sector and build, with producers, an increasingly prosperous future", he stated.

Currently, Mato Grosso do Sul has 284 registered farms, 119,582 sows in production, and more than 3.39 million pigs slaughtered in 2024 alone. The chain involves 129 companies, generates around 32 thousand direct jobs and has already produced 315 thousand tons of pork this year, with a projected growth of 10% for 2025. The data was released during the forum, which also presented the state's competitive advantages, such as high productivity, availability of grains at competitive prices, modern structure and public incentive policies.