Prices of traceable Brazilian cattle to EU on the rise

Price premiums for Brazil's traced cattle eligible for export to the EU has increased in recent weeks.

The price premium is reportedly to have exceeded that of non-traced cattle by 10 percent.

The price premium increase is largely due to the steady growth of orders from European importers, as beef stocks deplete and the credit crisis eases.

In addition, Brazil's beef supplies to the EU are expected to grow throughout 2009, as the EU has approved more Brazilian farms for exports. As of January 30, the EU has approved a total of 816 farms, compared to only 106 a year ago.