Flash floods in Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state have turned farms into waterlogged disaster zones, claiming over 12,600 hogs and 429,000 poultry in what industry groups call a 'catastrophic blow' to one of the world’s top food-exporting regions.
When Rain Reigns Disaster
Imagine entire towns submerged – that’s the reality for farmers here. Local hog lobby ACSURS reports 30 farms flooded, impacting suppliers to meat giants BRF and JBS. Meanwhile, poultry group ASGAV calculates losses at $35.8 million, with four processing plants halted and roads blocked by landslides.
The Ripple Effect
Why should your burger cost more? This state supplies 24% of Brazil’s pork exports and 16% of chicken exports. With the key port of Rio Grande disrupted, global meat supplies could feel the pinch.
Survival Mode
Beyond immediate deaths, surviving animals face starvation. 'Feed factories are underwater,' says ASGAV, forcing farmers to ration food. One BRF-linked plant processing 3,000 hogs daily saw 60% of its suppliers’ livestock wiped out.
As climate extremes rewrite farming rules, this disaster highlights how interconnected – and vulnerable – our global food systems truly are.
