October 8, 2007

Poultry, corn boost Brazil's January- September exports

Only thirteen of Brazil's exported products, with just over a 1 percent share of the total, obtained an export revenue increase above the 15.5 percent average of January-September, according to Brazil's Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Ministry.

The growth was attributed to primary products, whose total share of exports grew to 31.6 percent from 29.7 percent. Primary product exports grew 22.9 percent over the period.

Corn and chicken posted the biggest increases comparing the two periods, at 243.1 percent and 44.4 percent respectively.

Brazilian corn exports increased due to shift of US corn -- which usually accounts 63 percent of global exports -- to internal ethanol production, according to Amaryllis Romano from the Tend¨ºncias consulting firm.

Romano emphasized Brazil's competitive edge and the conquest of new consumer markets in Asia and Eastern Europe has also boosted Brazil's overseas chicken sales.