May 3, 2006
Brazil's April soybean exports increase to 2.9 million tonnes
Brazilian soybean exports totalled 2.915 million tonnes in April, up roughly 250,000 tonnes in comparison to March when 2.65 million tonnes were shipped internationally, the Foreign Trade Ministry reported Tuesday (May 2).
April soybean exports were also greater than the previous April's total of 2.7 million tonnes.
Daily export averages are rising in comparison to March, as Brazil completes its 2005/06 soy harvest. Brazil shipped an average 161,900 tonnes per day in April compared to 115,400 per day in March. By comparison, Brazil soy exporters shipped an average 134,900 tonnes in April 2005, mostly due to a much smaller crop.
Brazil harvested close to 51.4 million tonnes of soy in the 2004/05 season and is expected to harvest 55.7 million tonnes in the 2005/06 season, according to the National Commodities Supply Corp of Brazil's Agriculture Ministry.
Soy derivative export volume fell in April, however, with soymeal leading the decline by nearly 300,000 tonnes to close the month at 760,000. In March, Brazil shipped 1.07 million tonnes of soymeal internationally, and 1.2 million tonnes in Apr 2005.
Although the trade figures do not give a reason for the drops, soymeal declines are likely due to the projected decline in chicken production and chicken meat consumption in nations hit with bird flu. Soymeal is used as chicken feed.
Daily volume has dipped to 42,200 tonnes in April, compared with 46,400 tonnes in March and 63,100 tonnes in April 2005.
Soyoil exports declined to 102,500 tonnes in April, compared with 125,500 tonnes in March and 113,700 in April 2005.
Daily soyoil volume remains stable compared with Apr 2005, at 5,700 tonnes per day.
Brazil's total income from soybeans in April hit US$653 million, up from US$620 million in March and US$613 million in April 2005.
Soy is Brazil's top food commodity export in both volume and value.
Brazil is the world's second largest soybean producer after the US.
