Brazilian chicken meat exports set record revenue in July

The export growth in several large markets helped Brazilian chicken meat achieve record revenues in July. According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), Brazilian exports of chicken (whole chicken, cuts, salted and processed products) totaled 371,100 metric tons in July, a result 9.4 percent higher when compared to the same period of 2013.
In addition to the significant increase in volume, revenues went up 14 percent as compared to the same quarter, to reach US$771.8 million, a record high.
From January through July, industry shipments reached 2.274 billion metric tons, a result 2 percent higher compared to the same period of 2013. In income, there was a reduction of 5.9 percent in comparison with the first seven months of 2013, with US$4.489 billion.
According to the data of ABPA, comparing the performance in the months of July 2014 and 2013, shipments to Saudi Arabia rose 2.47 percent;to Japan, 40.37 percent; China, 36.8 percent; and the European Union, 16.24 percent.
As explained by ABPA Poultry Vice President Ricardo Santin, "Shipments delayed by the rains of June [in the state of Santa Catarina] accumulated and defined a higher level of exports than initially planned for July. This, coupled with the recovery of average prices relative to the start of the year, allowed the industry to achieve record revenues in July. "
According to ABPA, 1.235 billion tons of poultry cuts were shipped between January and July, a 4.3 percent increase when compared to 2013. Exports of whole chicken during the first seven months of 2014, Brazil’s second-most exported product, totaled 841,500 metric tons, a year-over-year decline of 1.9 percent. Salted meat exports amounted to 104,200 metric tons, a 3.8 percent increase, and processed products, with 92,700 metric tons, represented a 6.8 percent increase.
Top markets for Brazilian chicken
The Middle East remains the largest destination of chicken meat from Brazil with 799,900 metric tons shipped, a decline of 8.1 percent compared to the same period of 2013. Asia ranks second, importing 673,500 metric tons, up 7.4 percent. The third largest destination, Africa, accounted for 288,400 metric tons, a decline of 3.7 percent. To the European Union, the fourth largest importer, 240,500 metric tons were shipped, an increase of 0.8 percent. With the largest growth increase, the Americas imported 216,100 metric tons of Brazilian poultry in the period, up 49 percent. Imports from the non-EU European countries, with 53,800 metric tons, represented a 12.9 percent increase, and Pacific countries, at 1,100 metric tons, represented an 18.4 percent increase.
Saudi Arabia was the largest market for Brazilian chicken meat between January and July, with 381,000 metric tons, down 5.6 percent when compared to 2013. Ranking second was the European Union, with 240,500 metric tons, up 0.8 percent. In the third ranking, Japan imported 233,200 metric tons, a 3.2 percent increase. To Hong Kong (the fourth largest market) 183,700 metric tons were shipped, a decline of 1.2 percent. The United Arab Emirates ranked fifth, importing 147,900 metric tons between January and July.