The aim of this study was to calculate the water footprint of pigs slaughtered in 2008 in each state of south-central Brazil. The calculation of water footprint considered water consumed in grain production (corn and soybean), drinking water and washing water. Rio Grande do Sul was the state with the largest water footprint (2.702 km³), followed by Santa Catarina (2.401 km³) and Parana (1.089 km³). States with the smallest footprints were Rio de Janeiro (0.00215 km³), Distrito Federal (0.0354 km³), and Espírito Santo (0.0719 km³). States with low yields of corn and soybeans had higher water footprint. Calculations show that water management in swine production cannot address only the farm; it should include related agricultural supply chains.
water; growing-finishing; diet