São Paulo – Beef exports from Brazil dropped in volume this year, but some countries like China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates increased imports in the period. According to information made public by the Brazilian Meat Packers (ABRAFRIGO), exports of fresh and processed meat reached 714,300 tonnes year-to-date through May, down 2% from the same period last year. Revenue was up 2% in the same comparison, to USD 3.24 billion.
Among the six main destinations of Brazilian beef, two are Arab countries: The UAE ranked fifth, and Egypt sixth. The UAE increased purchases by 11.8% in the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2020, reaching 19,000 tonnes. Egypt, in turn, bought 55.2% less, with total purchases at 17,500 tonnes from January through May, according to figures from ABRAFRIGO compiled by the Foreign Trade Secretariat (SECEX) of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy.
China was by far the largest importer of beef from Brazil. This year, Chinese purchases reached 418,000 tonnes from 413,600 tonnes in the first five months of 2020. The US came in second, at 33,700 tonnes imported, a volume 165.8% higher. In third place came Chile, at 32,600 tonnes, up 7.8%, and in fourth was the Philippines, at 26,100 tonnes, up 78.6%. This year, 66 countries increased their purchases and 75 reduced them, compared to the same period in 2020.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
