August 21, 2008

Brazilian chicken exports in the first half of 2008 reached 1.65 million tonnes, up 13.5 percent on-year, according to German agricultural statistics organisation ZMP.

Of the exported chicken, 60 percent were frozen, of which 206,000 tonnes were shipped to Hong Kong, up 25 percent on-year. Exports to Japan also increased to 190,000 tonnes.

Brazil exported 136,000 tonnes of frozen whole chickens to Venezuela during the period, up more than 85 percent. With that, Venezuela is now Brazil's leading importer of frozen whole chickens. Saudi Arabia imported nearly 130,000 tonnes while the UAE imported 80,000 tonnes.

In addition, ZMP also said trade with the EU has declined but the figures did not include salted meats, which instead would have increased.