Feedlot costs showed divergent trends between Brazil’s Center-West and Southeast in February, interrupting the convergence observed in recent months. According to the Ponta Feed Cost Index (ICAP), feed expenses declined 6.0% in the Center-West compared with January, while they increased 2.8% in the Southeast.
Year-on-year, the Center-West recorded a 14.0% drop in costs compared with February 2025, while the Southeast posted a slight increase of 0.2%. According to Ponta Agro, the decline in the Center-West was mainly driven by a 7.1% fall in energy feed ingredients such as sorghum and soybean hulls, while corn prices remained stable.
In contrast, higher costs in the Southeast were mainly due to more expensive roughage, which rose 17.3%. This pushed the average diet cost higher in the region during the quarter and widened again the gap between the two regions after the convergence seen in late 2025.
Based on the indicator, Ponta Agro estimated feedlot costs at R$/@ 197.27 in the Center-West, with a profitability of R$ 1,028 per head. In the Southeast, costs reached R$/@ 215.10, with a positive result of R$ 1,021 per head.
Source: Globo Rural.
