September 26, 2012

Brazil's live cattle exports rose 44% on-year, to 345,969 head, during the first eight months of 2012.

Underpinning the rise in exports in 2012 so far is a jump in shipments to Venezuela, accounting for 77% of all cattle exports, along with higher volumes to both Egypt and Turkey.

Shipments to Venezuela increased 43% to the end of August, totalling 265,753 head. Brazil is the largest provider of live cattle to Venezuela, which primarily imports live cattle to supply beef for the local market.

While small in volume compared to Venezuela, Brazil has also registered larger exports in 2012 to both Egypt (16,834 head) and Turkey (24,385 head). In contrast, shipments to Lebanon decreased 35% for the same period, to 34,568 head.

In 2011, Brazilian live cattle exports totalled 404,853 head.