Brazil chicken exports to Middle East on a rise

 

 

Brazil's chicken exports to the Middle East soared 20.6 percent to 914,000 tonnes during the first eight months of 2009, despite the retraction of the global market, according to figures by the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef).

 

This performance showed that the Middle East is the main market for Brazilian chicken, under conditions of which total Brazilian chicken exports fell three percent to 2.4 million tonnes during the eight-month period.

 

But exports to the Middle East generated revenues of US$1.3 billion, down 7.5 percent on-year. In total sales, year-on-year revenues fell 21 percent to US$3.7 billion.

 

Brazil's second largest market is Asia, with exports there amounting 622,000 tonnes, generating revenues of US$968 million.

 

The EU is the third largest market with 345,000 tonnes and revenues of US$790 million. Shipments to North America generated US$307 million while volumes to Africa earned US$269 million.

 

In August alone, Brazilian chicken exports totalled 301,000 tonnes, down 6.6 percent on-year, while value dropped 24 percent to US$522 million.

 

The Middle East imported 115,000 tonnes of Brazilian chicken at a value of US$185 million in August. Asia accounted for 68,000 tonnes and US$109 million, while the EU represented 49,000 tonnes and US$129 million.