From the Newsroom*
São Paulo – Brazil wishes to increase exports of genetic material and other products of the zebu cattle breed. For such, the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) and the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ) will sign today (25) in Uberaba, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, an agreement that foresees investments of US$ 1.87 million to promote external sales of products and services related to the zebu breed. The information is from the Apex press advisory.
Upon signing the agreement, the companies in the sector will have the aim of exporting US$ 27.7 million per year up to the end of 2008. The technological package for breeding zebu includes semen, embryos, live animals, veterinary products, animal supplementation, pasture seeds, cattle breeding equipment and genetic improvement services.
As well as wining new markets like the United States, South Africa, Australia and countries of Central America, Brazilian actions will try to consolidate sales in South America, in countries like Colombia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, and in Africa, in places like Angola, Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Senegal.
The Arab countries are also interested in, or already import, live cattle from Brazil, like Lebanon, for example, which imports from the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Pará. In the first semester, Brazil sold the equivalent to US$ 36.2 million in live cattle to Lebanon, it was the main item on the exports basket to the Arab country. In May this year, Tunisia opened its market to live cattle from Brazil.
Amongst the activities for promoting Brazilian technology in the sector are the participation in international fairs, buying projects and workshops abroad.
Genetic improvement
Brazil is known for its excellency in genetic development of the zebu breeds. Breed improvement works are being developed in the country for 70 years and today Brazil already offers great diversity and quality in products related to the bovine livestock activity.
To increase Brazilian exports of genetic material, Apex and the ABCZ count on the project Brazilian Cattle Genetics, which was established in 2003. Last year Brazil exported 123,400 doses of semen, for example, which represented an increase in nearly 130% in relation to 2003. The two entities have invested US$ 2.37 million in trade promotion and took companies to 21 international fairs in 11 countries.
According to information from Apex, exports of the companies participating in the project went from US$ 14.7 million in 2004 to US$ 20.19 million in 2005.
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
