INDÚSTRIA DE ALIMENTOS

v. 11, n. 422, fevereiro, 2026

Abstract

The food industry plays a significant role within the manufacturing sector, contributing substantially to GDP and employment generation, with this importance being even more pronounced in the Northeast region when compared to the national aggregate. In 2025, global revenues in the food and beverage industry grew by 6.0%, with expectations that this average growth rate will be sustained in the coming years. In Brazil, the food industry (food and beverages combined) generated revenues of BRL 1.388 trillion in 2025, representing a nominal increase of 8.02% and real sales growth of 2.2%. For 2026, prospects remain favorable, with projected real sales growth ranging between 2.0% and 2.5%, driven by continued expansion in domestic demand and the gradual recovery of international markets. Within this context, there is a clear need for investments aimed at expanding the supply of industrialized food products in states that are geographically more isolated and exhibit lower availability of such products, as well as investments focused on plant modernization and efficiency improvements. Furthermore, investments in the production of goods targeted at specific market niches, aligned with prevailing trends in consumer demand for food products, are also considered relevant.