Brazil beef shipments up 12% in January

Brazilian beef exports in January 2010 increased 12% year-on-year to 78,130 tonnes, according to new industry data.

Improved global demand also meant that average prices rose 15% to US$3,648 per tonne. Due to higher prices and export volumes, beef export revenue in January was up 28% on-year to US$285.01 million, according to the Brazilian Beef Exporters' Association (Abiec).

Revenue of frozen/chilled beef exports, which represent 75% of total shipments, increased 43% to US$241.08 million. Export volume increased 18% to 65,025 tonnes, while average price was up 21% to US$3,600 per tonne.

Canned beef exports in January totalled US$43.93 million, down 19.75% from US$54.74 million in January 2009. Export volume decreased 17.55% to 11,105 tonnes.

Abiec executive director Otavio Cancado says the figures show a recovery in demand and in global economic activity.

Cançado said canned beef exports fell due to higher demand for chilled/frozen beef, as the recovery of economic activity among the importing countries means consumers can buy more expensive beef.

Markets contributing to the increase were Russia, Iran, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Algeria and Israel, said Cancado.