October 8, 2004

 

 

Brazil's Jan-Sep Agriculture Surplus Boosted By Meat, Soy

 

Brazil's record $29.864 billion agribusiness exports and $26.252 billion trade surplus obtained from January to September were boosted by soy complex and meat shipments.

 

According to the Agriculture Ministry, Jan-Sep soy complex export revenue rose 38.3% compared with the same period last year, while there was a 59.6% increase for meat.

 

Exports of cereals, flours and preparations climbed 168.9%.

 

These growths were attributed to higher volumes shipped as well as better prices for produce compared with the same period last year.

 

The main increases in revenue were for soy meal (11.5%), raw soybean oil (16.6%), sugar (29.8%), frozen beef (51.9%), frozen chicken (24.2%) and corn (93.6%).

 

The chief increases in price paid for produce were for soybeans (33.5%), soy meal (28.1%), frozen beef (24%), frozen chicken (20.1%), pork (37.4%) and green coffee (30.5%).

 

The Ministry stated that agribusiness exports to Mercosur rose 22.5% from January to September compared with the same period last year. Mercosur is a free trade bloc made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

 

EU shipments rose 28%, with the bloc receiving 34.7% of all Brazil's agribusiness exports.

 

Brazilian agribusiness exports to Asia excluding the Middle East rose 44.9%. For the Middle East, there was a 55% increase. Exports to Africa grew 52.6%.

 

Asia received 20.6% of Brazil's agribusiness exports, compared with 19% in 2003.

 

Meanwhile, the main recipients of Brazil's Jan-Sep agribusiness exports were the US, Benelux and China.