September 28, 2009
Brazil beef exports down 25 percent; shipments to EU up
Brazilian beef exports fell 25 percent on-year to 72,574 tonnes swt in August, but shipments to the EU have been positive.
Value of exports fell 38 percent on-year to US$257 million as average prices dropped 19 percent to US$3,537/tonne.
Volumes for Jan-Aug fell 14 percent on-year to 609,500 tonnes swt, with an 18-percent decrease in average prices to SU$3,107/tonne swt.
Russia remained as Brazil's top beef market, taking 37 percent of total beef shipments in the first eight months of 2009, followed by Hong Kong at 11 percent, Egypt at nine percent, and Iran and Algeria each taking seven percent.
Beef exports to the EU have continuously increased over the year, totalling 4,518 tonnes swt in August. This was mainly due to the higher availability of approved cattle, with more than 1,500 farms currently certified to the EU, and the seasonal increase in feedlot marketings.
Exports to the EU over the first eight months of 2009 reached 24,125 tonnes swt, with 39 percent being chilled beef. The Netherlands bought the most, accounting for 34 percent of the imported beef, followed by Italy at 34 percent and Spain at nine percent.
