December 19, 2008

Brazil's beef exports to Venezuela up 290 percent

Venezuela has replaced Russia as the main destination of Brazil's frozen and chilled beef in November, as shipments to Venezuela skyrocketed by 289.8 percent on-year.

Sales to Venezuela totalled US$46.66 million in November, up from US$11.97 million in the same month last year, according to the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec).

Brazil's frozen and chilled beef exports to Russia fell 69.5 percent on-year to US$43.25 million in November.

Russia imported 12,560 tonnes of Brazilian beef in November, down 76.8 percent on-year. However, Russia remained as the largest market, as Venezuela imported only 4,390 tonnes in November despite a growth of 122.6 percent from 977 tonnes.

From January to November, Russia imported 371,960 tonnes of Brazilian beef valued at US$1.4 billion, an on-year 10.5-percent fall in volume but 6.4-percent increase in value.

During the same period, Venezuela imported 84,260 tonnes of beef valued at US$360.76 million, up 100.3 percent on-year in volume and up 225.5 percent on-year in value.

Brazil's beef exports from January to November rose 22 percent on-year to US$5.01 billion, while volume fell by 14 percent to 1.29 million tonnes.

Shipments in the first half of December also fell 18 percent on-year to US$124.29 million, while volume also declined 26 percent on-year to 33,860 tonnes, according to Abiec.