February 12, 2010

Brazilian meat exports up 10% in January

Although total agricultural exports dropped by 1.8% in January, Brazilian meat export sales grew 10%.

Brazilian meat exports rose 10.7% in January compared with the same month of last year, and totalled US$868.4 million, according to reports. Despite the good performance, the segment did not guarantee growth in overall exports by the segment, which dropped by 1.8% compared with January 2009 and totalled US$4 billion.

Figures disclosed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MALS) showed that foreign sales of the product grew 43.1%, and generated revenues of US$318 million, equivalent to 18.4% of total meat exports.

According to the MALS, the drop in overall exports resulted from reduced exports of the soy products, which consists of grain, chaff and oil. Sales fell by 55.3% volume-wise and by 40.5% in terms of value, due to sales taking place earlier than usual in 2009.

Despite the overall decline, exports to several countries increased. Two of them were the United Arab Emirates, which purchased 50% more, and Algeria, to which sales grew by 49%. India was the highlight, with an increase of 148.8%.