February 11, 2013

Despite BSE-restrictions, Brazil's beef exports in January saw a big increase at nearly 89,500 tonnes, a 7% increase on December volumes, with value at 5.2% to US$409.2 million.

On-year growth was even bigger, with volumes up 43% and value up 36% on the previous January. Russia, Hong Kong and Venezuela are the main destinations for Brazilian beef, accounting for 64% of total export volumes last month.

Of these, Russia is the biggest market, importing more than 28,000 tonnes of beef worth US$109.4 million in January 2013. Volumes to Russia were up 73% on January 2012, while value increased by 52%.

Exports to Hong Kong, the next biggest market, reached 15,157 tonnes in January, generating revenues of US$67,816,000 - the highest monthly value recorded for exports to this region. Venezuela took 13,822 tonnes of Brazilian beef worth US$72.5 million in January, a 21% increase on December 2012 and a 50% increase on-year.

Brazil is still facing export restrictions in Japan, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Peru, South Korea, Lebanon and Jordan following the discovery that a cow that died in the state of Paraná in 2010 was infected with BSE.

The country's agriculture authorities continue to push for a lifting of these restrictions, which the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) has branded as "unjustified".