June 19, 2007

Brazilian beef exports generate US$1.8 billion in five months

Beef exports from Brazil earned a monthly record high of US$443 million dollars in May or total shipments of 226,000 tonnes, posting an increase of 28.6 percent from May 2006, figures from the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec) show.

Abiec also reported exports in the first five months of 2007 yielded US$1.8 billion or a 39.4 percent increase over the same period last year, totalling 1.1 million tonnes, 33.4 percent more than in the first five months of 2006.

According to Abiec president, Marcus Vinicius Pratini de Moraes, the increase in May were due to boosts in cattle supply, greater sales to emerging markets, higher demand for higher valued special cuts and better prices for offal.

Russia continues to be Brazil's main beef market while United States and Britain leading in industrialized meat. Egypt remains the second largest beef importer having purchased US$35 million in May and US$153 million so far this year.

Abiec said Brazil has been involved in aggressive marketing activities with promotional barbecues in potential buyer countries. The Arab world, a constant target for this programme has seen such events in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates and with the Arab community in Rome, Italy, among other places.