São Paulo – The share of Middle Eastern and African countries in revenues of the Brazilian group JBS, the world’s leading processor of animal protein, has increased. According to the results announced this Tuesday (10th), JBS exported the equivalent of US$ 2.45 billion in the first quarter this year. Out of that total, 15.9% were shipped to countries in Africa and the Middle East, a rate equivalent to US$ 389 million.
Total revenues from exports in the first quarter represent an increase of 17.4% over the first three months of 2010. During that period, 14.9% of the products exported were shipped to Africa and the Middle East. In the first quarter of last year, exports reached US$ 1.765 billion, of which Africa and the Middle East accounted for 16%.
In a report, the JBS group informs that it posted a net profit of 147 million Brazilian reals (US$ 91.4 million) in the first three months this year, 47.9% more than in the same period of 2010, and that it has reversed losses incurred in the last quarter of last year due to the restructuring of units purchased.
Net revenues reached 14.672 billion reals (US$ 9.1 billion) and grew by 20.2% in the first quarter of this year. The EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) reached 835.9 million reals (US$ 520.1 million), 3% less than in the same period of last year.
In a statement, JBS claims that all of its units recorded “double-digit” increases in revenues from the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2011. JBS ascribes the increase to higher average prices, especially in foreign countries.
In Brazil, JBS owns 17 brands, such as Swift, Faixa Azul, Leco, Friboi, Danubio and Vigor. In the United States and Australia, the company controls Swift, Pilgrim’s, LaHerencia, Country Pride and Angus Select, among others, at a total of 27 brands. JBS is the world’s leading producer of bovine and ovine meat, the second leading poultry producer, and the leading producer of leathers. In 2010, the company posted revenues of 54 billion reals (US$ 33.6 billion). In the Arab countries, the company operates with a distribution centre in Egypt and commercial offices in the United Arab Emirates and Algeria.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
