São Paulo – Poultry exports could increase by 3 to 4% in 2015 in comparison to this year, according to projection made by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). According to the organization’s estimation, the increase will be driven by the opening of new markets and the sales expansion in important destinations to Brazilian exporters, such as the countries of the Middle East.
This Tuesday (09), ABPA called a press conference and presented the sector’s expectations for this year’s closing and for 2015. To the organization, the country should close this year with an exports volume of 4 million tons of poultry meat, with revenues of US$ 8.09 billion. In total, poultry exports should reach US$ 8.6 billion, including eggs and other birds.
Until November, sales had a cumulative high of 2.4% over the same January to November 2013 period, but revenues dropped 1% in the same comparison. Production should increase at the same rate of exports next year, between 3 to 4%. In 2014, the expectation is to close the year with 12.6 million tons of poultry meat produced.
ABPA’s CEO, Francisco Turra, said that despite the difficulties that the Brazilian economy is facing, 2014 was a positive year for the sector. He noted that Brazil increased export and could reach other destinations next year, such as Cambodia and Taiwan.
The Middle East still is the main purchaser of poultry meat from Brazil, accounting for 34% of export total. Among the ten biggest poultry meat importers from Brazil, three are Arab countries. Saudi Arabia tops the ranking, with United Arab Emirates in 5th and Kuwait in 10th. Sales to Africa account for 13% of the total.
In November, BRF, owner of the brands Sadia and Perdigão, opened its first plant in the Middle East, in Kizad’s industrial zone, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The plant will process Brazilian poultry meat and distribute it to other countries of the region.
“BRF took advantage of the brand Sadia’s presence in the Middle East, which already was strong and consolidated, and now it will process meat produced here. For sure, the [export] volume will increase. The main office is Brazilian, but they will certainly incorporate a local ‘DNA’ to the product”, said Turra.
ABPA’s CEO said that Brazil’s relations with Arab countries in the poultry sector are increasingly better. “There was never a threat from that region. Brazil established great brand loyalty over there”, said he.
Ricardo Santin, vice-president of ABPA’s Poultry group, said that the international poultry meat Market should expand in the next few years globally. “In the next few years, the worldwide trend in meat consumption points up, with greater expectations for fish and poultry”, he said. ABPA represents the poultry and pork sector.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
