São Paulo- Revenues from Brazilian poultry exports increased by 19.7% in 2011 compared with 2010. Last year, the country exported the equivalent of US$ 8.85 billion in poultry products, an all-time high. In terms of volume, 4.118 million tonnes were shipped, 2.3% more than in 2010. The figures were announced by the Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef) this Monday (9th), during a press conference at the organization’s headquarters in São Paulo.
The growth in exports was driven by chicken, whose sales increased by an even higher rate than the general industry’s. Chicken exports increased by 21.2% in revenues (US$ 8.253 billion) and 3.2% in volume (3.942 million tonnes) as against 2010. The price of chicken was the main contributing factor to the different between the increases in revenues and volume. The average chicken export price last year was US$ 2,093 per tonne, 17.4% more than in the preceding year.
“The behaviour of the dollar was challenging for the industry last year,” said Ubabef president Francisco Turra. “When the dollar was low [relative to the Brazilian currency, the real], we had to struggle to raise prices in dollars. Then the currency went down, and we had to struggle to lower prices in dollars,” he said.
Despite the increase in exports, Turra said the industry was excited about the domestic market. In 2011, per capita chicken consumption in Brazil averaged at 47.4 kilograms, 7.48% more than in 2010. “The domestic market remains our leading market,” he said. Sure enough, the domestic market accounted for 69.8% of chicken production in 2011, whereas 30.2% was exported.
Egg exports decreased in both revenues and volume. Brazilian egg exports dropped by 31% (US$ 28.2 million) in terms of revenues and by 40% (16,600 tonnes) in terms of volume compared with 2010. Turkey exports reached 141,200 tonnes, representing a 10.5% decline in volume shipped, however revenues increased by 4.7% and reached US$ 444.6 million. The average export price for turkey in 2011 was US$ 3,149 per tonne, 17% more than in 2010.
Exports of duck, goose and other birds reached 1,640 tonnes, 61.2% less than in 2010. Revenues dropped by 40.2% and reached US$ 6.99 million. Despite the decline in sales of these products, their average price rose by 54% compared with 2010, and reached US$ 4.274 per tonne.
Destinations and perspectives
The Middle Eastern countries remained a highlight of Brazilian poultry exports in 2011. Saudi Arabia was the leading importer of Brazilian chicken, with a 16% share. Next came the European Union countries (12%), Japan (11%), Hong Kong (9%), the United Arab Emirates (5%), China, Venezuela and South Africa (5% each), Kuwait (4%) and Iraq (3%).
The Emirates were also a highlight in imports of Brazilian eggs (3,000 tonnes) and duck, goose and other birds’ meats (111.5 tonnes).
For 2012, Turra projected that the whole industry should grow by 2%, though he did not separate production and exports. In 2011, total chicken production in the country stood at 13.058 million tonnes, a 6.8% increase compared with 2010, an all-time high for the industry. The Ubabef president also claimed he is betting in the country’s good sanitary conditions in order to boost foreign sales.
“We still retain a flawless sanitary production, while some Asian countries are struggling with the avian flu. Still, this will not be a year of euphoria, it will be a year of turmoil,” said the Ubabef president. The organization will carry out promotional actions overseas, including attending fairs, holding workshops and inviting foreign journalists to visit Brazil and have a close look at the country’s poultry industry.
“The industry is operating with caution. In Southern Brazil, the drought did damage to 60% of maize production (one of the main inputs used by the industry). This means costs will be higher. We will not remain on the same level [as in 2011], but we admit that we will not grow much,” said Turra.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
