February 12, 2008

Argentina poultry meat exports soar in 2007

Argentina's poultry exports rose by 26 percent in volume last year to 145,760 tonnes, said the National Food Safety and Quality Service SENASA.

The value of exports has increased by 54 percent to ARS 189 million (US$59.6 million) compared to 2006 when Argentina exported 115,262 tonnes of poultry, worth ARS 122 million (US$38.5 million).

Exports of fresh poultry meat including whole birds have increased by 31 percent to 93,315 tonnes, worth about ARG 122 million (US$38.5 million), which is a value increase of 57 percent.

The main destinations for fresh poultry meat exports are Chile, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Holland and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 59,789 tonnes in total.

Exports of by products are 47,773 tonnes worth ARS 48.3 million (US$15.2 million), an increase of 19 percent in volume and 57 percent in value. China and Hong Kong imported 21,619 tonnes and 12,624 tonnes respectively.

Processed poultry meat exports are 4,672 tonnes worth ARS 13.3 million (US$4.2 million), an increase of 31 percent in volume and 29 percent in value, most of which were shipped to the Netherlands and Germany.