April 18, 2008

Brazil's March chicken exports up 3 percent on-year
 

Brazil's chicken exports in March increased 3 percent on-year to 313,000 tonnes, according to the Brazilian Chicken Exporters Associations (ABEF) on Thursday.

Revenue from March chicken exports went up 36 percent to BRL 555 million (US$334.8 million).

Fresh and frozen chicken cutlet exports in March increased 3 percent on-year to 174,000 tonnes. However, whole chicken exports had dropped by 7 percent to 108,000 tonnes.

The Middle East is the main destination of Brazilian chicken, rising 21 percent to 282,000 tonnes from January to March.

Chicken exports to Asian markets rose 14 percent to 219,000 tonnes from January to March.

For the first quarter of the year, Brazilian chicken export volume jumped 18 percent to 881,000 tonnes worth BRL 1.5 billion (US$905 million), with revenue up 59 percent compared to the first quarter in 2007.

Brazil is the world's leading chicken exporter.