July 26, 2006

 

Brazil aims to expand zebu cattle export market

 

 

The Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) and the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders have signed an agreement to promote sales of the zebu cattle breed, local media reports said.

 

Zebu cattle products, such as the bulls, semen, embryos, veterinary products, equipments and genetic improvement services are among the items where the organisations hope to achieve export growth.

Zebu have humps, large dewlaps ( a flap of skin below the chin) and large ears. They have more sweat glands than European cattle, as such, they handle hot, humid climates well and have pest resistances not seen in European cattle.

US$ 1.87 million has been dedicated to the effort, with an aim of achieving US$ 27.7 million a year in exports up to the end of 2008, according to a press statement from Apex. 

 

Targeted countries include the US, South Africa, Australia and countries of Central America, along with efforts to consolidate sales in South America and Africa.

 

The organizations hope to achieve their targets through international fairs, procurement projects and workshops abroad. The two organisations have invested US$ 2.37 million in trade promotion and took companies to 21 international fairs in 11 countries. Exports of participating companies increased 40 percent from 2004 to 2005, according to Apex.

 

Brazil has been developing the zebu breed for 70 years, and today Brazil can boast of a great diversity and quality in zebu products, according to Apex

 

The Brazilian Cattle Genetics project, established 3 years ago, enabled Brazil to export 123,400 doses of semen in 2004, a 130 percent increase compared with 2003, Apex said.

 

Picture of a zebu.  (courtesy of wikipedia.com)

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