May 10, 2007

Brazil's beef exports to rise 15 percent in 2007

Brazil may increase exports of beef by as much as 15 percent this year to 2.75 million tonnes in meeting the surge in demand from developing countries, according to Marcus Vinicius Pratini de Moraes, former agriculture minister and president of the Brazilian Association of the Beef Export Industry.

Beef shipment revenues may increase to more than 20 percent to US$5 billion as companies step up sales of fresh and frozen meat, which fetch higher prices than processed meat, he said.

Brazil is sending more beef to Russia, the Middle East, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg, Moraes said.