February 19, 2013

Brazil's January pork export reached 40,118 tonnes worth US$104.64 million, figures up 5.08% and 7.42%, respectively, from the same month a year ago.

This is according to data released on Thursday (Feb 14) by Brazil's pork producers and exporters association, Abipecs.

Average price per tonne also rose in January by 2.22% from the year prior, to US$2,068. Export markets with the biggest sales gains were Russia, Ukraine and Uruguay.

Sales to Russia totalled 11,940 tonnes worth US$34.96 million, figures up 454% and 459%, respectively, from January 2012. The prolonged Russian embargo on pork from Brazil's three southernmost states remains stuck in diplomatic negotiations, but enough individual slaughterhouses were reapproved by Russia over the past year to stimulate a significant on-year recovery.

January pork exports to Uruguay totalled 1,451 tonnes (up 47%) worth US$4.26 million (up 46%), while sales to Ukraine reached 6,620 tonnes (up 29%) and US$17.93 million (up 24%).

The largest declines for Brazilian pork exports in January occurred with Argentina, Singapore and Hong Kong. Sales to Argentina fell 64% by volume (1,562 tonnes) and 63% in revenue (US$5.21 million) last month, compared to January 2012.

Exports to Singapore dropped 11% by volume (2,027 tonnes) and 14% for revenue (US$5.59 million) compared to the year prior, while sales to Hong Kong declined 39% by volume (8,469 tonnes) and 39% in revenue (US$20.6 million) from January of last year.

The leading markets for Brazilian pork exports in January were: Russia (29.76%), Hong Kong (21.11%), Ukraine (16.5%), Angola (7.73%), Singapore (5.05%), Argentina (3.89%), and Uruguay (3.62%).

Brazilian pork sales in 2013 are expected to improve upon double-digit volume growth from last year, driven by the potential of higher average prices domestically and abroad, and increased exports to higher value markets like China and Russia.