September 20, 2005

Brazil plans to expand beef exports to Asian markets

Brazil planned to increase beef production and exports to Asian markets, according to the Brazilian Beef Export Industries Association.

Brazilian beef exporters were particularly interested in Japan, which still banned beef imports from North America due to the BSE, or mad cow disease cases there, the association said. Australia and New Zealand were only able to meet Asian beef demand partially and Brazil hoped to fill the gap, the association added.

The country also planned to expand its beef exports to all Southeast Asian countries.

Last year, Brazilian beef exports reportedly grew more than 30 percent to over 2 million tonnes carcass weight equivalent, overtaking Australia in beef export volume.

However, the association said Brazil needed to export more valued-added beef products into specialty and niche markets, using more sophisticated processing.