February 26, 2007

Brazil beef exports to UAE seen to double in 2007

Brazil's beef exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to double in 2007 to total US$70 million (53.4 million euro), said Antonio Jorge Camardelli, executive director of Brazil's meat exporters' association Abiec.

The projection is based on the participation of 11 Brazilian beef producers at the 12th edition of the Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition (Gulfood) in Dubai, which ended on February 22, 2007.

Brazil is currently the biggest beef exporter to the UAE. In 2006, the value of its beef exports to the UAE grew by 74 percent year-on-year to US$35.5 million (27.1 million euro).

The Brazilian beef producers that participated in Gulfood were Bertin, Mataboi, Goiascarne, Arantes, Marfrig, Cooperfrigu, Quatro Marcos, Frigoestrela, Minerva, Independencia, Uniao do Iguatemi and Friboi.