April 20, 2007

USDA: Brazilian pork production to hike in 2007

The US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) says expansion in Brazil's pork production is forecast to be 3.5 percent higher for 2007.

Exports have been constrained by trade restrictions imposed by the EU and Russia since the foot-and-mouth-disease outbreak.

The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) has said Brazil's Santa Catarina state should be considered free of FMD without vaccination but it is uncertain if this declaration could affect the countries' import restrictions on Brazilian pork. However, Brazil continues to look for growth opportunities in Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore, FAS said.

Due to the export problems domestic consumption has increased sharply but supply has been exceeding the demand. Good prices in the previous years have also boosted production.