São Paulo – Brazilian exports of fresh and processed poultry protein to Saudi Arabia grew year to date through November compared to the same period last year. In the first eleven months of 2023, 337,400 tonnes were shipped to the Arab country, a 7.2% increase over 2022, reported meat lobby ABPA this Thursday (7). According to ABPA’s Markets director, Luís Rua, other Arab countries also bought more poultry from Brazil this year.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, other countries expanded their imports, such as China, with a volume 28% higher this year compared to 2022 (632,200 tonnes), South Africa, South Korea, and Mexico.
“Several destinations in the Middle East and North Africa have increased purchases from Brazil. Even Algeria, one of the countries in the region, recently opened the market to Brazilian exports, bolstering Brazil’s role as the world’s biggest exporter of halal protein [produced according to Islamic standards]. In turn, China, our leading buyer, has been increasing its purchases of Brazilian poultry by 28% throughout the year, in a context of decreasing local production this year,” said Rua in the ABPA release.
The sector’s exports tallied, year to date through November, 4.684 million tonnes, a 5.6% increase over the same period last year. Revenue, however, plateaued in the period, with a total of USD 8.977 billion this year against USD 8.976 billion in the first 11 months of 2022. Solely in November, shipments totaled 377,400 tonnes, a 0.5% expansion over the same month in 2022. Revenues recorded a 13.5% drop to USD 676.1 million last month from USD 781.3 million in November 2022.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
