Marina Sarruf*
marina.sarruf@anba.com.br
São Paulo – Brazilian exports of chicken should total US$ 4.8 billion this year, 50% more than last year, a record for the sector, according to figures supplied by the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef). The shipments may end the year at 3.2 million tonnes, an increase of 18.5% in comparison with 2006.
According to him, the main markets boosting Brazilian sector exports were the European Union and the Middle East, which posted growth of 73% and 65% respectively from January to November. "Early this year we did not expect such positive figures," stated Abef president Christian Lohbauer.
Chicken shipments to the Middle East in the first eleven months of the year totalled 894,000 tonnes, representing growth of 34% over the same period last year. Revenues totalled US$ 1.1 billion. To the European Union, shipments totalled 510,000 tonnes, growth of 32.5% in comparison with 2006. Sales to the bloc also totalled US$ 1.1 billion.
The third main importer of Brazilian chicken was Asia, with purchases of 736,000 tonnes from January to November, an increase of 8% over the same period last year. Revenues totalled US$ 1 billion, growth of 33%. Brazilian chicken was also exported to Africa, which bought 234,000 tonnes for US$ 207 million, Russia, 177,000 tonnes and revenues of US$ 269 million, South America, 158,000 tonnes and US$ 196 million.
For 2008, the president at the Abef estimates growth of 6% to 8% in total sales of chicken. "It should be a good year. Exports are going to continue rising," stated Lohbauer. He also forecasted an increase of 5% in Brazilian production. This year, a total of 10.2 million tonnes of chicken were produced. The average exported in 2007 was 270,000 tonnes a month.
According to Lohbauer, one of the main concerns of the sector for next year is the question of greater soy prices. Maize and soy prices rose as much as 42% and 72% respectively on the Chicago Futures and Commodity Market, reducing the competitiveness of Brazilian chicken on the foreign market. Another factor that also generates difficulties for the sector is the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the dollar, which has already reduced the profitability of Brazilian exports and should continue affecting the sector next year.
November
Chicken exports totalled 299,000 tonnes in November, representing an increase of 5% over the same month last year. Foreign sales generated US$ 507 million, an increase of 51% over November 2006. The main market was the Middle Eastern, which imported 88,670 tonnes. Sales to the region totalled US$ 141 million in November.
*Translated by Mark Ament
