March 21, 2007

Brazil boosts corn, agricultural exports in Jan/Feb 2007
 

Brazil's corn exports in the first two months in 2007 have increased by 351 percent the first two months of 2007 to $114.1 million, according to the latest figures released by the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry.

Last year's profit from corn has only reached US$25.28 million over the same period last year, said the ministry.

Corn exports this February totalled US$51.82 million, up 283.48 percent on the US$19.28 million registered in February 2006.

The Brazilian government says corn exports could reach a record 8 million tonnes this year.

On the other hand, meat, sugar, ethanol, coffee and tobacco have also boosted Brazil's agribusiness exports in February.

These products, according to the Ministry, were responsible for over 80 percent of surge of exports in February.

The ministry said meat exports rose 36.9 percent to US$766 million from US$560 million in February 2006.

Beef exports grew 81.4 percent, chicken 15.6 percent while pork fell by 3.7 percent.

Meat exports in January-February totalled US$1.48 billion, posting an increase by 24.5 percent from US$1.19 billion of the same period last year.