December 12, 2006

Brazil beef export value seen surpassing Australia

Brazil's beef export value seems surpassing that of Australia for the first time in 2006, according to reports in local business daily "Gazeta Mercantil."

Australia, the No. 1 beef exporter by value exported about US$3.98 billion worth of beef to world markets in 2006 compared with US$4 billion estimated from Brazil, said the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association, or Abiec.

Brazil, the world's leading beef exporter by volume, generated lower local revenue due to its beef being cheaper than Australian beef.

The projections were based on accumulated exports for the first 11 months of the year from both nations and average per-tonne prices. Brazil beef prices rose by 15.6 percent compared with 3.8 percent for Australian beef. Brazil exported 10 percent more in volume so far in 2006 compared with increases of about 4 percent for Australia, according to two Brazil-based livestock consultancies cited by "Gazeta Mercantil."