October 2, 2007

Brazil September beef, chicken exports down on month

Brazil beef and chicken exports declined in September in comparison to August, according to the Foreign Trade Ministry's commodity export figures released on Monday (October 1).

Brazil shipped 215,700 tonnes of fresh chicken to world markets in September, compared to 275,800 tonnes in August. Exports were up when compared to the year-ago period, when Brazil shipped 200,400 tonnes of fresh chicken abroad.

Average prices for Brazilian chicken exports were US$1,447.10 per tonne, up 1.9 percent from August and 25.3 percent from September 2006.

The leading markets for Brazilian chicken in September were Japan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Russia.

Meanwhile, Brazilian beef exports dipped to 98,500 tonnes in September in one of the lowest volumes all year. In August, Brazil shipped 110,600 tonnes, and in September 2006, 106,100 tonnes of fresh beef was shipped abroad.

Average prices for Brazilian fresh beef rose 6.6 percent in September to US$2,955.60 per tonne. Prices were also above September 2006 per-tonne averages of US$2,766.40, the government reported.

Russia, The Netherlands, Egypt and Italy were the main importers of Brazilian beef in September.

Brazil is the world's No. 1 beef and chicken exporter.