Sheep Milk Places Santa Catarina’s Casa Bianchi Among Brazil’s Top Three

Casa Bianchi began changing its business in 2011, when the family brought eight sheep to its property in Lajeado Grande, in western Santa Catarina. The farm had limited room to expand its cattle operation, and the owners considered sheep a way to produce higher-value milk without the same level of investment in herd feed.

Cattle and sheep were kept together for several years. In 2022, the family ended its cattle activity and devoted the property entirely to sheep. The farm now has between 800 and 900 animals and reports daily output of 350–400 litres of milk.

Higher output per animal

The expansion has included genetic improvement as well as growth in herd size. Andressa Bianchi, the owner, cites approximately 1.5 litres of milk per sheep per day as a reference level for the sector. Casa Bianchi’s average is 2.2 litres per animal per day.

The farm does not sell all of its production as raw milk. It uses the milk to make cheese, dulce de leche and liqueurs, retaining several stages of processing on the property. The business also receives visitors through an experiential tourism programme, which includes explanations of its production methods, product tastings and an account of the farm’s development.

National distribution

Casa Bianchi obtained authorisation to sell its products throughout Brazil in 2022. It has presented its sheep-milk products at Startup Summit in Florianópolis, taking part in the event for the third time.

According to Bianchi, some consumers who first encountered the products at earlier editions of the event have returned to buy them again. At this year’s edition, the dulce de leche brought by the farm sold out. Bianchi said the company’s immediate scope for expansion remains the Brazilian market, before any consideration of exports.