June 2, 2004

Brazil May Soybean Exports Down 18.6%

Brazil's May soybean exports totaled 2.67 million metric tons, down 18.6% from 3.28 million tons in the same month last year, according to preliminary figures issued by the government's Foreign Trade Secretariat, or Secex, on Tuesday.

May shipments were higher than April exports of 2.01 million tons as the new soybean crop arrives at port.

May soymeal exports totaled 1.23 million tons, down 7.7% from 1.33 million tons sent abroad in May last year but 60.9% higher than the 764,600 tons sent in April.

In May, Brazil shipped 125,200 tons of soyoil, down 44.4% from the 225,300 tons exported in the same month last year but higher than the 101,000 tons exported in April.

Brazil is the world's leading exporter of soybeans and their by-products.