November 14, 2005

Brazil's pork exports up 63 percent so far from last year

In the first 10 months of this year, Brazil's pork exports have hit US$1 billion, an increase of 63 percent from the same period last year, said the Brazilian Industrial Association of Pork Producers and Exporters (ABIPECS) Nov 10.

So far, about 539,174 tonnes of pork were exported, 27.4 percent more than the January-October period of 2004.

September initially registered a reduction of pork exports, but by October, US$121.8 million worth of exports was seen-the year's highest so far. October shipments were also up 45 percent from last year.

Brazil is the largest pork exporter in the world, with Russia as the country's largest buyer. This year alone, Russia bought about 40 percent of all meat Brazil exported, or 348,695 tonnes worth US$696.54 million.

Despite the recent occurrences of FMD in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the country's pork exports were not affected, ABIPECS said.