Brazil recorded the slaughter of 42.94 million cattle under some form of sanitary inspection in 2025, an increase of 8.2% year-on-year, according to IBGE data. Growth was observed in all quarters compared to 2024.
The result consolidates the expansion trend that began in 2022 and marks a new historical record, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2024. At the same time, female slaughter increased for the fourth consecutive year, rising 18.2% year-on-year.
The total increase in slaughter —equivalent to an additional 3.25 million head compared to 2024— was driven by gains in 26 of the 27 states. The largest increases were recorded in São Paulo (+629,220 head), Pará (+472,770), Rondônia (+364,430), Goiás (+244,870), Mato Grosso (+199,210) and Mato Grosso do Sul (+175,090). Mato Grosso remained the leading state, accounting for 17.1% of the national total, followed by São Paulo (11.1%) and Goiás (9.9%).
In the fourth quarter of 2025, slaughter reached 11.04 million head, up 14% year-on-year, although down 2.7% compared to the third quarter.
