Brazil's chicken export revenues down 16% in 2009

Exports of Brazilian chicken meat reached 3.63 million tonnes in 2009, down 0.3% on-year, while revenues dropped 16.33% on-year to US$5.8 billion.

The decline was due to the financial crisis and the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the US dollar.

During the financial crisis, prices dropped and orders from important foreign markets such as Russia, Japan and Venezuela fell sharply. Exchange rates have also drastically diminished Brazilian chicken meat's competitiveness on the international market, which severely lowered the sector's profitability.

According to the Brazilian Association of Chicken Producers and Exporters (ABEF), in case of changes in current exchange rate trends, it would be possible to end 2010 with a growth from 3% to 5% in volumes, and of up to 10% in revenues.

However, if the real-dollar ration continues at the current levels, growth may not take place.