May 11, 2006

Brazil beef exports up 17 percent due to strong Russian demand

Brazilian beef exports during the first quarter of 2006 increased 17 percent to reach 246,000 tonnes - 17 percent higher than the same period last year, according to the European Market Survey.

Beef exports have continued to grow despite restrictions imposed after foot and mouth disease (FMD) was discovered.

Frozen beef constituted almost 90 percent of the beef. The volume of frozen beef went up while the volume of chilled beef was nearly halved.

The main markets were Russia (26 percent), the EU (18 percent) and Egypt (15 percent).

Demand in Russia was five times the amount compared with the same period last year due to beef shortages. Russia has now lifted beef import restrictions on almost all Brazilian states.

On the other hand, exports to the EU were down 14 percent compared with the same period last year due to import restrictions after the FMD outbreak.