February 2, 2005

Brazil Jan soybean exports up 2.6%

Brazilian soybean exports totaled 351,900 metric tons in December, 2.6% higher than the 342,800 tons exported a year earlier, according to preliminary figures issued by the Foreign Trade Secretariat on Tuesday.

Exports fell from 400,200 tons in December as Brazil progresses into its inter-harvest season.

Brazil is expected to export approximately 19.2 million tons of soybeans in the 2004-05 season (February-January), down from 20.0 million tons shipped last year.

Soymeal exports reached 1.05 million tons in January, up 8.4% from the 973,300 tons exported the year before. January figures rose compared with the 900,300 tons of meal shipped in December.

Soymeal exports in 2004-05 are expected to reach approximately 14.4 million tons, higher than 13.58 million tons in 2003-04.

January soyoil exports totaled 120,900 tons, the same as December and down from 137,300 tons exported in January last year.

Brazil is the world's second-largest soybean producer after the U.S.