North Africa to help expand Brazilian beef exports

Arab countries in North Africa are anticipated to help Brazilian beef exports to recover in 2010.

Exports to Egypt, one of the five leading buyers of Brazilian beef, had decreased due to the crisis this year but purchases began to recover in the second half of 2009, according to Roberto Gianetti da Fonseca, president of the Brazilian Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec).

He said Brazil will export a similar or slightly higher volume of beef than in 2008 before the crisis.

Libya and Algeria are also important markets for Brazilian beef, especially when top destination Russia imported 17% less beef from Brazil during January to November compared to the same period last year.

From January to November this year, Egypt imported 12% more raw beef from Brazil in terms of volume. Imports by Lebanon have grown 32%. As for imports of processed beef, Jordan had the most significant growth of all countries: 76% in volume and 78% in value.

Overall, export revenues decreased by 25%, totalling US$3.7 billion, and export volume saw a 12% reduction to 1.1 million tonnes.