Buffalo in Brazil
Brazil had 1.8 million buffalo in 2024, the 9th largest in the world (0.85% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 37%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Animals, 2024
- 1.8 million head
- World rank
- 9 of 47
- 10-year change
- +37%
- Record
- 1.8 million head
- 2024
Buffalo in Brazil, 1961–2024 (head)
Brazil compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.85%
- 0.67% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +37%
- world +6.9%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Vietnam | 2,032,396 | 0.96% |
| 8 | Venezuela | 2,011,237 | 0.95% |
| 9 | Brazil | 1,805,145 | 0.85% |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 1,524,000 | 0.72% |
| 11 | Egypt | 1,440,000 | 0.68% |
Map of buffalo numbers by country
Share of the world total; Brazil is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,805,145 | +7.9% |
| 2023 | 1,673,139 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | 1,597,741 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 1,551,812 | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 1,502,254 | +4.8% |
| 2019 | 1,433,989 | +3.2% |
| 2018 | 1,389,873 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 1,375,168 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 1,371,089 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 1,370,488 | +3.9% |
| 2014 | 1,319,478 | −1.0% |
| 2013 | 1,332,284 | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 1,261,922 | −1.3% |
| 2011 | 1,278,075 | +7.9% |
| 2010 | 1,184,511 | +4.3% |
| 2009 | 1,135,191 | −1.0% |
| 2008 | 1,146,690 | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 1,131,986 | −2.2% |
| 2006 | 1,156,870 | −1.4% |
| 2005 | 1,173,629 | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 1,133,622 | −1.3% |
| 2003 | 1,148,808 | +3.2% |
| 2002 | 1,113,400 | −0.5% |
| 2001 | 1,118,823 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 1,102,551 | +3.2% |
| 1999 | 1,068,059 | +5.0% |
| 1998 | 1,017,246 | +4.0% |
| 1997 | 977,767 | −6.5% |
| 1996 | 1,046,106 | −36% |
| 1995 | 1,641,950 | +4.5% |
| 1994 | 1,571,349 | +4.8% |
| 1993 | 1,498,890 | +5.3% |
| 1992 | 1,423,348 | −0.6% |
| 1991 | 1,432,112 | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 1,397,097 | +8.7% |
| 1989 | 1,285,043 | +8.8% |
| 1988 | 1,181,219 | +9.2% |
| 1987 | 1,082,128 | +9.9% |
| 1986 | 984,811 | +12% |
| 1985 | 882,142 | +9.7% |
| 1984 | 804,478 | +15% |
| 1983 | 702,182 | +13% |
| 1982 | 623,574 | +15% |
| 1981 | 542,000 | +9.5% |
| 1980 | 495,000 | +4.4% |
| 1979 | 474,000 | +21% |
| 1978 | 393,000 | +15% |
| 1977 | 343,000 | +7.2% |
| 1976 | 320,000 | +20% |
| 1975 | 267,000 | +32% |
| 1974 | 203,000 | +28% |
| 1973 | 159,000 | +14% |
| 1972 | 140,000 | +8.5% |
| 1971 | 129,000 | +9.3% |
| 1970 | 118,000 | +11% |
| 1969 | 106,000 | +10% |
| 1968 | 96,000 | +5.5% |
| 1967 | 91,000 | +4.6% |
| 1966 | 87,000 | +6.1% |
| 1965 | 82,000 | +30% |
| 1964 | 63,000 | +3.3% |
| 1963 | 61,000 | −10% |
| 1962 | 68,000 | +7.9% |
| 1961 | 63,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many buffalo are there in Brazil?
Brazil had 1.8 million buffalo in 2024, 0.85% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Brazil rank in the world by number of buffalo?
Brazil ranked 9th of 47 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in India with 53.0% of the world total.
How has the number of buffalo in Brazil changed?
It rose by 37% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +6.9% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.