June 13, 2008

Brazil exports US$2 billion worth of beef Jan-May 2008 
 
 

The Brazilian beef industry has exported its way past the US$2 billion mark in the first five months of the year, according to the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec).

Exports totalled US$2.06 billion, a 10.4-percent increase over the same period last year even as volumes fell 20.3 percent to 920,860 tonnes.

This is the first time the country's beef industry has crossed the US$2 billion mark during the Jan-May period, Roberto Giannetti da Fonseca president of Abiec, said.

Volumes fell due to the EU ban on Brazilian beef and higher prices.

Due to tighter supplies, beef prices have climbed to BRL 90 (US$55) per 15 kg from BRL 55 (US$33) last year, he said.

Brazilian beef is already exported to 150 countries, and the Abiec is working to open up new markets and diversify the product in emerging countries. "

Brazil now accounts for a third of the world's beef exports.

We are leaders in the global market," stated Giannetti. According to him, for every three kilograms of beef exported worldwide, one kilogram comes from Brazil.

During the period, the top buyer of Brazilian beef, Russia, imported 243,450 tonnes of Brazilian beef, or roughly a quarter of total Brazilian beef volumes shipped.

Brazil's second largest market is Venezuela which imported a much smaller volume of 47,750 tonnes.

Hong Kong is Brazil's third largest market, importing US$100 million worth of beef (46,410 tonnes ).