July 9, 2007

Brazil meat exports hit record breaking US$10 billion in 12 months

Brazil's meat exports continue to break records in volume and over the last 12 months broke a record US$10 billion in value, the Agriculture Ministry said Friday (July 6).

The record value puts Brazilian meats, including beef and chicken, in which Brazil is the world's leading exporter, in company with the nation's top export items: soy, transportation equipment, petroleum, chemicals and iron-ore.

Meat exports accounted for 7 percent of the US$149.9 billion in Brazil's foreign trade from June 2006 to June 2007.

Of the US$10 billion total, beef accounted for US$4.4 billion followed by US$3.8 billion in chicken meat exports.

In June, Brazil exported 245,500 tonnes of fresh chicken - down from 259,200 tonnes in May, but up from 185,200 tonnes in June 2006.

Beef exports also declined to 105,400 tonnes in June compared with 138,200 in May and 107,700 tonnes in June 2006.

Pork exports remained relatively stable at 46,300 tonnes in June compared with 46,500 tonnes in May, but up from 34,300 in June 2006, according to the Trade Ministry.