São Paulo – Brazilian poultry exports reached nearly US$ 4 billion in the first half, an increase of 28.5% compared with the same period of last year. Approximately 2 million tonnes were shipped, a 6.8% increase using the same basis of comparison. The information was disclosed this Monday (4th) by the Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef, in the Portuguese acronym).
According to a statement issued by the Ubabef, its CEO, Francisco Turra, claimed that the growth could have been greater, if it were not for the depreciation of the dollar against the real (Brazilian currency), which theoretically makes Brazilian products more expensive abroad.
“The truth of the matter is that we could have had even stronger growth, due to increased international market demand. However, we are losing competitiveness by the hour. Thus, we maintain our growth forecast of between 3% and 5% in shipments [in 2011],” said the executive, according to the statement.
The Middle East remained the leading target region for Brazilian exports. Revenues from sales to the region totalled US$ 1.36 billion, an increase of 31.7% over the first quarter of 2010. A total of 718,000 tonnes were shipped, growth of 8.6% using the same basis of comparison.
Asia ranked second among the target markets for Brazilian products, followed by the European Union, Africa, the Americas and non-EU European countries.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
