April 17, 2014
Brazil''s chicken exports up slightly in Jan-Mar
In January-March of 2014, volume exports of Brazilian chicken increased by 0.7% with a total of 907,300 tonnes shipped, however revenue from chicken meat fell 11.5% to US$1.705 billion, according to the latest report from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).
Individual cuts of chicken remained the main export product, with 500,900 tonnes shipped - an increase of 7% - while whole chicken represented 325,400 tonnes (-7.5%), ABPA said.
Ricardo Santin, vice president of ABPA, said: "The increase in sales of chicken cuts with higher average value mitigated the decline in revenue, adding more value to exports."
In terms of Brazil''s biggest export markets, the Middle East remaining its largest importer, taking 332,000 tonnes (-4.6%), with Asia importing 270,500 tonnes (+7.5%) of beef and chicken, and Africa importing 125,300 tonnes (1.7%).
Turkey meat saw shipments fell by 12% in the first three months of this year, with a total of 32,700 tonnes exported- a revenue drop of 16.5%.
Last month it was announced that the members of the Brazilian Poultry Association (UBABEF) and the Brazilian Pork Industry and Exporter Association (ABIPECS) had merged, to become the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).
Former chief executive of UBABEF Francisco Turra, will take on the same position at ABPA, while there will be two vice-presidents: Ricardo Santin, who was formerly vice-president of UBABEF, is the new ABPA poultry vice-president; and Rui Eduardo Saldanha Vargas, former president of ABIPECS, will be ABPA''s vice-president for pork.
Turra said the goal was to build an organisation with even greater representation, which enables the creation of synergies and broadens the political and social role of the old associations.
Vargas added that the creation of the new organisation created a positive outlook for the pig sector in Brazil.