Brazilian beef exports generated US$ 1.46 billion in the first half of this year, against US$ 1.12 billion in the same period last year, representing a 30% increase.
In the month of July alone, shipping totalled US$ 301.9 million, against US$ 228.7 million in the same month in 2004, representing growth of 32%.
"And that took place despite the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the United States dollar," stated the president of the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec), Marcus Vinícius Pratini Moraes.
In the last 12 months, Brazilian cattle beef exports grew 42%. They generated US$ 2.87 billion in the last 12 months, against US$ 2 billion in the previous 12-month period.
In the evaluation of the executive director of the Abiec, Antonio Jorge Camardelli, the factors that contributed to the increase in exports, despite unfavourable exchange rates, were the international promotion of the "Brazil brand", the perennial aspect of offer, the maintenance by Brazilian farmers of delivery times stipulated in contract, the quality of the beef and the "shortening of the chain of profit ".
With regard to the latter, he said that today Brazilian businessmen sell their products directly, eliminating the need for intermediaries. According to Camardelli, the number of parties involved in the beef export process has been reduced from seven to three in recent years.
Pratini added that Brazil has considerably expanded the quantity of markets it reaches in recent years, and is now going through a phase of "opening new markets" for the marketing phase, adding value to the product.
For this reason, the Abiec has been organizing workshops for importers on the foreign market.
The next event will take place on July 14, at Palais de L’Elysée in Paris, and will be part of the "Brazilian Year in France".
At the occasion there will be a churrasco (barbecue) that will count on the presence of the presidents of France, Jacques Chirac, and Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to Pratini, this will be the first time that Brazilian beef will be served at the French presidential palace.
"So as to sell, nothing better than showing the quality of the product that is consumed in the country of origin," declared Pratini.
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