March 13, 2012

Brazil's February pork exports down 5% on year

The Brazilian pork export association or Abipecs said Monday (Mar 12) that the country's February pork exports dropped 5% on year to US$95.53 million as well as in volume, shipments fell 4.95% to 37,126 tonnes.

Last month's exports were partly hurt by sales to Argentina, which bought 84.2% less in revenue (US$1.51 million) and also 85% less in volume (478 tonnes), Abipecs said.

Argentina has recently imposed restrictions on Brazilian pork. Last year, the neighbouring country imported US$130 million in pork from Brazil.

In the first two months of 2012, exports fell 0.65% in revenue versus the same period last year, to US$192.35 million, but rose 1.37% in volume, to 74,882 tonnes.

Hong Kong was the main destination for Brazilian pork, acquiring 33% of the January-February total. Russia, which in the past was Brazil's main client and top exporter for 11 months in 2011, ranked third in the period.