Brazil is the leading producer and exporter of pork in South America, due to facility modernization and the opening of new international markets, particularly to the United States and China. The pork industry has grown through investments in technology and government policies, with record pork exports reaching 1.229 million tons in 2023, a 9.8% increase from the previous year. China's African swine fever has increased demand for Brazilian pork, making it a crucial supplier. The United States and China are the primary destinations for Brazilian pork exports, and Beijing has authorized 38 Brazilian meat processing plants to export to China.