Brazil’s Chicken Exports Grow 56%, But Weak Dollar Means Less Profit

Chicken meat exports from Brazil totaled US$ 2.7 billion from January to May, representing growth of 56% compared with the same period last year. Shipments totaled 1.5 million tons, increase of 18% using the same basis for comparison. The figures were disclosed by the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef).

Despite the positive results, Abef informed that the sector's profit margins have been decreasing in the last months, due to the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the US dollar, and to the steep increase in the cost of corn, one of the main inputs for the poultry industry.

In the first five months this year, the leading market for Brazilian chicken meat was the Middle East, with 469,000 tons shipped, growth of 18% compared with the same period last year.

Revenues totaled US$ 803 million, growth of 65% over the same period of 2007. The second largest destination was the European Union (EU), with imports of 233,000 tons and revenues of US$ 628 million.

Exports to South American countries totaled 112,000 between January and May, growth of 80%. Sales stood at US$ 178 million, growth of 145%.

Shipments to Africa totaled 104,000 tons, representing growth of 13%, and revenues stood at US$ 99 million, growth of 31%. Last were Asian countries, with exports of 375,000 tons and US$ 678 million.

Anba