Brazilian beef exports to reach US$6bn in 2012

Despite a 0.53% drop in value in the first quarter of this year, from US$1.230bn in 2011 to US$1.223bn, Abiec president Antonio Jorge Camardelli said exports should pick up in the rest of the year. “I am very optimistic,” he said, hailing the 1.74% increase in the average price per tonne of beef in the first quarter. He added that market conditions were improving, with an exchange rate more favourable than in the past year and declining European production. “We have nothing to complain about. The average price per tonne of exported meat is on an upward trend,” Camardelli said. Brazil’s production remains stable, at about 1.8 million head slaughtered per month. Camardelli pointed out that recent import restrictions in Iran had led to a 92.83% drop in value of exports to the country (from US$207.8m to US$14.9m), reflecting on overall export results with a 5.71% decrease in volume in the first three months of 2011. However, he said exports to Iran should gradually recover. In comparison, export to the US grew 200.71% in value and 264.18% in volume, compensating a 17.43% drop in the average price of beef in that country. Exports to Egypt and Libya increased 220.85% in value and 73.25% in volume in the first quarter of 2012, which Abiec’s president believes is due to the fall of authoritarian regimes. Camardelli added that sales to recently freed Arab countries were on the increase since “Brazil is now the only exporter in the world that meets all the religious requirements for both Muslims and Jews” . Camardelli added that exports to Venezuela and Angola were showing strong performances due to upcoming elections in both countries.

Brazilian beef exports to reach US$6bn in 2012

Exports of Brazilian beef are expected to reach US$6bn in 2012, up 20% from 2011 with a 10% increase in volume, according to the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (Abiec).

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