February 9, 2010

Brazil's chicken exports to Iraq on a boom

Poultry exports have become Brazil's key export item to Iraq, which has become one of the South American country's largest chicken importers.

Brazil's direct exports to Iraq have exploded from virtually nothing before the American occupation to US$107 million in 2008 and to US$250 million last year.

Iraqi importers bought 313 million pounds of chicken meat for US$199 million, according to Brazilian government figures. The Brazil-Iraq Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which certifies Brazilian products heading to Iraq, noted that two-thirds of exports enter through a third country, usually Kuwait.

In 2009, Iraq became the ninth largest importer of chicken from Brazil, up from 14th in 2008.

Until the American invasion in 2003, Iraqi imports were severely restricted by international sanctions.