September 13, 2006

Brazil's August beef exports rose 18 percent over last year's levels

Brazil's foreign beef sales reached a record US$403 million in August, 18 percent over levels last year.

The value is also well above July's levels, when revenues totalled US$ 355 million, according to the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec).

August's shipments were nearly 7 percent more than levels in the same month last year, and totaled 248,290 tonnes

According to the Abiec, price increases in international markets is the main factor for the increase in revenues.

Export value for the first eight months of the year increased 16 percent to US$2.4 billion while volumes grew 3 percent.

Brazil's main market this year was Russia, which accounted for US$ 319.45 million or 13 percent of the market so far. Egypt, with US$ 276.39 million and 222,000 tonnes is the second major destination and accounts for 11.5 percent of the market. Other buyers of Brazilian beef include the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom and Algeria.