April 30, 2012

Brazilian poultry exports totalled 974,100 tonnes, which is 4.42% higher than the number recorded in the first quarter of 2011, according to the Brazilian Poultry Union (UBABEF).

As for revenue, even with the March result, an accumulated growth rate of only 1.1% was reached, totalling US$1.89 billion between January and March.

"Revenue has grown at a slower pace than the volume shipped, which shows that the profitability of agribusiness exporters is reducing. With the loss of competitiveness, exporters are lowering prices to keep up with the markets. At this stage, government support is critical," says the president of UBABEF, Francisco Turra.

The largest market for Brazilian poultry sector, the Middle East, has imported 315,900 tonnes in the first three months of this year, which is 12.7% lower than in the first quarter of 2011. As for Asia, the second largest customer of chicken exporters of Brazil, was responsible for the shipment of 294,100 tonnes, 16.8% greater over the previous year. Thirdly, with the largest increase among all markets (40.8% high), Africa imported 158,700 tonnes.

"The negative result of the quarter exports to the Middle East was influenced by the performance in exports to Iran, beyond the reduction in purchases in other markets," said the UBABEF president.

Among the markets that recorded the largest increases in export volumes are Egypt (19,900 tonnes), Hong Kong (16.9 thousand tonnes), China (16,300 tonnes), South Korea (15.1 thousand tonnes) and Singapore (7,800 tonnes). The markets with the greatest drop in exports in the quarter are Kuwait (- 24 500 tonnes), Japan (-19.2 thousand tonnes), Iran (- 144 thousand tonnes), Germany (- 4.2 thousand tonnes) and Angola (- 3.4 thousand tonnes).