July 13, 2007

Brazil's bovine meat exports increase by 31 percent in first half

Brazilian bovine meat exports grew 31 percent in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, worth US$2.2 billion at 1.36 million tonnes, according to the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec).

Russia was the top buyer of Brazilian raw meat in the period with 329,000 tonnes at US$428.25 million. Egypt is at second place, having imported 154,800 tonnes for US$ 191.48 million.

Industrialised Brazilian meat was mainly bought by the United States with imports of 80,760 tonnes purchased for US$147.89 million from January to June. The United Kingdom came in second, having imported 82,870 tonnes at US$ 87.65 million. Brazil exports raw meat to 180 different countries.

Brazilian meat exports in June totalled US$ 349 million, a 0.6 percent increase from the same month last year. In total, 208,000 tonnes were shipped, a 0.98 percent decrease compared with June 2006.

Principal buyers for Brazilian raw meat are Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Libya while Arab countries imports were valued at US$65 million last month.