Brazil Beef Export Revenue to Grow 20 Per Cent

BRAZIL - Brazil beef exports will bring in US$6 billion this year, says the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (ABIEC).

19 April 2012

1 minute read

South America

President of ABIEC, Antonio Jorge Camardelli said that this is an increase in revenue of 20 per cent compared to 2011.

Volume exported is estimated to increase by 10 per cent.

Mr Camardelli said he is extremely optimistic about the export market for beef.

"In the first quarter of 2012, despite a slight drop in value and volume of beef exported, the price of beef per tonne, increased 1.74 per cent."

He said that the three pillars, on which beef exports rely, the market, supply and foreign exchange rates are all improving.

As for foreign exchange rates, the US dollar is becoming more and more favourable to Brazilian exporters.

Mr Camardelli said that despite European demand for meat not increasing, output is falling, which leaves plenty of opportunities for Brazilian exports. "We are also looking at other markets, such as the Middle East," Mr Camardelli said.

Monthly slaughter in Brazil is currently around 1.8 million head per month. Beef production in Brazil is increasing, he said.

Despite having a positive outlook, the value beef exports to Iran fell 92 per cent in the first quarter of 2012, however Mr Camardelli said that beef export values to the US were up 200 per cent.

Mr Camardelli also said that demand for beef was growing in Egypt, Libya, Venezuela and Angola.