February 27, 2004

Brazilian Egg Exports Set To Double in 2004

Brazilian egg producers is set to double exports and ventures into new markets this year, the head of Sao Paulo poultry association APA, Jose Carlos Teixeira, said on Thursday. 

The local producers plan to increase egg production by between 6.0 pct and 10 pct year-on-year in 2004. The 2003 egg output fell by 12 pct from 2002, Teixeira said.

Local producers will visit South Korea and Japan, with the aim of signing agreements for new egg exports. Other Asian country to be visited is Singapore.

Currently, Brazil exports 8.0 pct of its production. The main export destination is Japan, which accounts for 80 pct of the total Brazilian egg exports. The country also exports to Africa, Middle Eastern countries and neighbouring Argentina.

Ninety seven percent of the exports are of powdered eggs, the rest are comprised of fresh eggs.

APA expects the domestic consumption of eggs in 2004 to stand at 81.7 units per capita, a significantly lower volume in comparison to the consumption in developed countries, where the average consumption stands at 200 eggs per capita annually.