São Paulo – Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, this year spans from early April to early May. With the period’s arrival, the Brazilian animal protein sector saw a significant increase in the market share of halal products in the country’s poultry protein exports. Data was released on Monday (16) by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).
Halal products are produced following Islamic precepts and therefore are suitable for consumption by Muslims. According to ABPA, Brazil – currently the world’s largest exporter of halal poultry – exported 1.915 million tonnes of poultry protein to the Islamic markets in 2021, almost half of all sector exports by the South American country.
In the first two months of 2022, the exported volume of halal poultry has already increased by 5.17% compared to the same period last year, reaching 310,400 tonnes.
Brazil’s poultry sales to the 58 halal-importing nations yielded nearly USD 3 billion in revenue in 2021. For ABPA, the number could grow this year.
Among the nations consuming halal animal protein from Brazil, the United Arab Emirates is, since 2020, the leading destination. In 2021, the country imported 389,400 tonnes of the product, equivalent to 8.7% of all sector exports. Revenue amounted to USD 692.2 million.
This year, the UAE have increased imports of Brazilian products even further. In the first two months of 2022, the Arab nation purchased 85,700 tonnes, a volume 93.4% higher than in the same period last year.
And in February, the Gulf country took the lead among the destinations for Brazilian poultry exports, surpassing China. Imports to the UAE reached 42,800 tonnes, a volume 89.9% higher than in the second month of 2021.
For the president of ABPA, Ricardo Santin, the long-lasting relationship with the Arab and Islamic nations could continue to yield solid results. “Proof of this was a recent initiative we carried out at a show in Dubai, Gulfood, where USD 1 billion in exports were projected for the coming months, just from the negotiations made at the event. “Brazilian poultry producers are dedicated to complying with halal, and this has placed us in a strategic position to support food security in Arab nations,” said Santin in a statement.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
