September 25, 2008
Shipments totalled 756,000 tonnes from January to August, 17 percent more than in the first eight months of 2007.
According to information supplied by the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (ABEF), the Middle East is still the main destination for Brazilian chicken exports, followed by Asia. The third main market for the product was the EU, with shipments of 364,000 tonnes and revenues of $991 million.
Apart from them, Brazil also exported chicken to South America, Africa and Russia.
From January to August, Brazilian foreign sales of the product totalled US$ 4.8 billion, representing an increase of 56 percent over the same period last year. Shipments totalled 2.5 million tonnes, growth of 17percent in comparison with the same period in 2007.
According to the ABEF, the growth took place at a time of reduced profitability. This is due to the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the dollar and greater costs of inputs used in the industry, like corn.
The organisation believes discussions between the private sector and the federal government is necessary to end the process for entry into new markets, like China, and also in making use of opportunities presented in the supply of chicken to Russia.
In August, shipments of chicken meats were 323,000 tonnes, growing 6 percent over the same period in 2007, while export revenues in the month totalled US$688 million - growing 45 percent.
