São Paulo – Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the two Arab countries on the list of the five top buyers of beef from Brazil, increased their purchases of the product year-to-date, the Brazilian Meat Packers Association (Abrafrigo) reported this week. The numbers include both fresh and processed beef.
Egypt was the second top buyer of beef from Brazil at 100,900 tonnes acquired year-to-date, up 17.5% from the 85,900 tonnes bought in the same period last year. The United Arab Emirates imported almost four times more, from 12,400 tonnes in the first seven months of last year to 57,100 year-to-date.
Overall, Brazilian beef exports climbed 22% in volume to date this year through July, at 990,000 tonnes shipped. Revenue also climbed from a year ago, by 12%, to USD 3.72 billion. Abrafrigo points out at the release that the second half of the year usually sees more expressive sales.
Year-to-date, China was the leading buyer, at 377,900 tonnes. Egypt ranked second. Next came Chile, at 62,800 tonnes; the UAE placed fourth, followed by Iran and Russia. All six main destinations recorded increases in volume. Russia imports skyrocketed, from 1,900 tonnes to 37,500 tonnes.
In July, Brazilian beef exports climbed 1% year-on-year, reaching 161,300 tonnes. Revenues slid by 6% from a year ago, to USD 616 million.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
