São Paulo – Brazilian poultry exports to the Middle East were up 9.8% in volume and 30% in revenues from January through July 2013 from the same period in 2012, according to figures released this Wednesday (21st) by the Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef). Shipments amounted to 870,000 tonnes, generating US$ 1.864 billion in revenues. The Middle East remained the leading destination for the Brazilian product.
Poultry exports as a whole were down 3.1% in volume and up 8.8% in revenues. The export volume stood at 2.23 million tonnes and revenues amounted to US$ 4.7 billion. The Middle East was one of a few regions to which sales grew. Shipments to Asia stood at 626,000 tonnes, down 28.4%, and revenues stood at US$ 1.392 billion, up 0.8%.
Sales to Africa dropped by 17.3% to 299,000 tonnes and revenues were down 8.7% to US$ 436 million. The African continent is also home to some of the Arab countries that buy poultry from Brazil, such as Egypt and Libya. The European Union imported 235,000 tonnes of poultry from Brazil, down 10%. Revenues were down 7.4% to US$ 653 million.
Chicken cuts exports declined in volume, but increased in revenues. Whole chicken sales increased in volume and revenues. Processed chicken sales declined in volume and revenues. The states of Paraná and Santa Catarina topped Brazilian poultry exports from January through July.
The Ubabef also issued a study this Wednesday showing that the industry could have gained further market share if it were not for high production costs. The study was conducted in partnership with consulting firm Agro.Icone and is based on data polled from companies which collectively account for 70% of national poultry production. According to the study, the most relevant costs, i.e. those which hinder the industry’s progress the most, are labour, packing, and investment.
According to the Ubabef, Brazil’s share of worldwide poultry exports dropped from 39% in 2005-2008 to 37% in 2009-2012. The country could have grossed an additional US$ 1.650 billion in revenues and created roughly 94,000 direct and indirect jobs over the past four years barring the loss of competitiveness in exports. The study will be presented at the International Poultry Salon (SIAV, in the Portuguese acronym), due from August 27 to 29 in São Paulo.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
