Brazil poultry, pig farmers face record production costs

Average production costs for both chicken meat and pork in Brazil for the month of September broke previous records with each exceeding an index of 190, according to figures published by CIAS, the Central Intelligence Poultry and Swine agency. The basal index of 100 points was established in January 2005 for pigs and in January 2010 for poultry.
CIAS is part of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária or the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).
The broiler index (ICPFrango) reached almost 192.0 points in September, an increase of 7.1 percent from the previous month and 9.6 percent for the year so far. Over the last 12 months, the costs have shown variation of 21.0 percent.
The index peaked even higher last month for pigs (ICPSuíno) at 195.0 points. That is 4.4 percent higher than in August and 11.2 percent above the start of 2015.
The report does not speculate on the causes of these increased costs but the Brazilian real lost around one-third of its value against the U.S. dollar over the first nine months of this year, according to figures presented by Hamish Smith of Capital Economic at the Grain Market Outlook Conference 2015 held in London, U.K. last week.

Brazilian pork exports

Brazilian pig meat exports were 52,571 tons in September, 19.2 percent more than in the same month of 2014, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). This brought revenues to the value of US$121.6 million, which is 23 percent less than September 2014. For the year to date, the exported volume is up by 6.2 percent to 393,400 tons, representing a fall in value of 17.5 percent at US$948.2 million. Russia remains the leading destination of Brazilian pig meat exports, accounting for 48 percent of the total volume exported during September 2015.

Brazilian broiler exports

For chicken meat, the principal importers from Brazil maintained positive levels in September shipments and avoided a sharp drop on the strike of agricultural federal tax, according to the ABPA. Brazilian chicken exports in September were down just 0.5 percent in volume from a year ago at 366,400 tons.Revenue was 18.9 percent lower at US$592 million. For the year so far, Brazilian chicken meat exports are 4.8 percent higher than last year at 3.186 million metric tons, with a value 9.1 percent lower at US$5.4 billion. Saudi Arabia is Brazil’s leading export market for chicken meat.
For 2015, exports are expected to be around 3 percent higher than the previous year, according to ABPA Poultry Vice President Ricardo Santin.

Brazil remains lowest-cost pig producer in 2012

Brazil remained the lowest-cost pig producer in 2012, breeding hogs more cheaply than in the U.S. and the European Union due to lower spending for feed and labor, according to the annual Interpig cost comparison.
Raising pigs in Brazil's Mato Grosso state cost 0.93 pound a kilogram (US$0.67 a pound) in 2012 from 1.02 pounds in 2011, the study published by U.K. pig breeders group BPEX showed. That compares with 1.12 pounds for the U.S., from 1.09 pounds in 2011.
Pork is the world's most-consumed meat, with the U.S. the biggest pork exporter, followed by the EU, Canada and Brazil, according to data from the United Nations' Food & Agriculture Organization. Feed is the biggest component of pig-production costs, the Interpig comparison showed. "With continued high prices for raw materials, on average pig feed remained higher in 2012 than in 2011," said BPEX.
Average production costs were 1.46 pounds for the EU in 2012, from 1.48 pounds in 2011, according to the report. The comparison didn't include China, the world's biggest pig producer.
Brazil's Mato Grosso state had the lowest feed costs per kilogram of pig at 0.64 pound, compared with 0.79 pound in the U.S. and 0.95 pound in Spain, the lowest-cost EU producer. Production costs were 1.17 pounds in Santa Catarina, Brazil's traditional pork-breeding state in the southeast, the price comparison showed. That was at a similar level as Canada.

Brazilian pork exports down 25 percent in 2013

Brazilian pig meat exports decreased by 25 percent in April 2013 as compared to export totals in April 2012, according to the Brazilian Pork Industry and Exporter Association. Pig meat exports reached 35,618 tons, with a revenue decline of 20.86 percent.
Pig meat exports in 2013 total annual value reached 156,035 tons, a 9 percent decline as compared to January to April 2012, with a fall in revenue of 5.27 percent.
During the first four-month period of 2013, Brazil saw an increase in pork shipments to Argentina 9 percent (6,243 t) and 29 percent to Russia (42,213 t). Brazil is shipping less pork products to Singapore (8,394 t, 10 percent decline), Hong Kong (36,333 t, 19 percent decline), and Ukraine (25,097 t, 32 percent decline) as compared to the same period in 2012.

Brazil's poultry and swine markets are recovering after a rough 2012

After a year of crisis for the poultry and swine segments in Brazil, marked by an increase in the production costs of meat, experts and producers have good reasons to expect a recovery in this sector in 2013, with export growing and the opening of new markets. This moment of recovery in business will be reflected during the main event of the supply chain of pigs and poultry in Brazil: AveSui 2013, held in Florianópolis, Brazil, May 14-16.
In 2012, the production of poultry meat fell 3.17 percent compared to 2011, closing the year with a total production of 12.6 million tons — of which 69 percent was consumed domestically, reports União Brasileira de Avicultura. Brazil is the world leadership in chicken exports, however, in 2012, Brazilian exports dropped 5.5 percent in value and 0.5 percent in export volume (4.1 million tons) compared to the previous year. It is estimated that the poultry chains generate jobs, directly or indirectly, to one million Brazilians. The pork industry also has seen a drop in production in recent years. The Associação Brasileira da Indústria Produtora e Exportadora de Carne Suína and Embrapa confirm that the country had a total of 2.44 million heads in 2009.
That number dropped to 2.4 million in 2011. In foreign markets, the restrictions imposed by Russia, Argentina and, most recently, Ukraine markets, have directled harmed the sector's performance. Besides, the industry sales of BRA $12 billion a year and concentrates production in about 2 million farms.
In 2012, Brazilian production was linked with the rising prices of corn bran (which once had an adjustment of 30 percent) and soy, limiting the use of the products as animal feed. With this scenario, producers accumulated debts and the price of poultry and pigs increased considerably, pushing inflation. "We're actually going through a time of adjustment. Last year was a year of break, and this distorts the market. From the moment we have a good crop of soybeans and corn, prices will decline", says Leonardo Soluguren, managing partner of Clarivi, a consultancy focused on agribusiness and speaker of AveSui.
Therefore, the outlook for 2013 is optimistic, with expected record in Brazil grains production and an increase in production in the U.S. "We don´t have a crash prediction in grains market, that adjusted production to demand. This scenario helps reduce costs. This conjuncture will be felt in AveSui when poultry, pig and animal nutrition industries will discuss trends and present situation" considers Andrea Gessulli, director of AveSui. During 2011, the fair generated a total of BRA $400 million in business, but suffered a fall last year due to the crisis in the sector. This year is expected to move same value or slightly above the recorded in 2011.
AveSui will be held in the state that is the birthplace of pig and poultry production in Brazil and have an extensive technical program and also a business fair. The trade show will feature more than 150 domestic and international companies, plus hundreds of products and services in direct contact with an audience that comes from all over the country and abroad. AveSui has already confirmed groups and delegations from 14 countries, including the U.S., China, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, South Africa, Nigeria, Peru and Angola.
Local for discussion related to agribusiness and to the chains of poultry, pork, biomass and bioenergy, the Panel Conjuntural Market will officially open the 12th Poultry and Swine Technical Scientific Seminar in AveSui 2013. This year, the opening theme is "Challenges for Agribusiness Competitive". Held on May 14, this panel brings renowned experts and will discuss key trends and challenges involving the current Brazilian and worldwide agricultural scenario. On May 15 and 16, the program will emphasize new aspects and trends in ambience, nutrition and welfare in poultry and swine industries.
One of the new features in this edition, the exhibition will present scientific studies in the areas of nutrition (poultry and pork), handling, ambiance and sanity, as result of a partnership between Gessulli Agribusiness and the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria /Laboratório Lamic, Faculdade de engenharia Agrícola da Unicamp e Embrapa Suínos e Aves. One author of the researchers will win a tablet and a free registration for the Darkhouse Workshop — a new system for chicken breeding with artificially controlled ventilation and lighting — that will bring experts from Brazil and the United States to discuss the best techniques for good results in animal welfare and productivity.
Another highlight will be the presentation of the "Model Farms for Poultry and Pigs." An exclusive showroom where trends and innovations in products, from equipment maintenance and the ambience extractors, feeders and drinkers, floors and heaters that help control authoring environment of animals will be presented.
AveSui will take place together with Bioenergy and Biomass Fair and AveSui Animal Rendering that will bring to the show the effectiveness of the union between the agricultural sector and renewable energy with cases of integration between the protein chain, power generation and environmental protection. 

International pig breeder exports sows, boars to Bolivia

Topigs do Brasil exported 49 grandparent sow line animals and 10 talent boars to Geporbol (Genetica Porcina Boliviana) in January. This is the first time that breeding pigs have been transported from Brazil to Bolivia.
This first pig export has opened up the commercial relationship between Topigs do Brazil and Bolivia for exporting without restrictions. Ricardo Josué Cogo, production manager of Topigs do Brasil states: “Topigs is interested in helping swine development in Bolivia, not just through the supply of genetic material but also with technical support. This export is a first step in this direction."
With a production of more than 1,250,000 crossbred gilts and more than 7 million doses of semen per year, Dutch-based Topigs is one of the biggest genetics suppliers in the world. 

Ractopamine safe for use in Brazil pork

Animal scientists in Brazil have found that a small dose of the feed additive ractopamine can boost pork production without changing how pork looks or tastes.
In the latest issue of the Journal of Animal Science, researchers said that a 5 mg/kg dose of ractopamine increased muscle mass and feed efficiency, and had no noticeable effect on pork marbling, fat content, toughness or color. The researchers came to this conclusion by testing pork from 340 pigs raised under commercial conditions. "We found that if [pork producers] use 5 mg/kg of ractopamine in the finishing diet of swine that should result in no detrimental effects on fresh pork quality and cooked pork palatability," said Natália Bortoleto Athayde, an animal scientist at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil.
However, some scientists have reported reduced pork quality with higher doses of ractopamine. The researchers found that pork from the 10 mg/kg pigs was lighter and less tender than pork from control group pigs. Athayde said this confirms previous studies showing that 5 mg/kg is an appropriate dose in Brazilian commercial pork production. "Pork is the most animal protein consumed in the world, and Brazil is currently the fourth-largest producer of this meat," said Athayde. "We export about 15 percent of pork we produce and we believe it is extremely important to know the quality of the meat that we offer to the world."
Athayde said she recommends further studies of how ractopamine affects animal behavior, consumer health and the environment.

Brazilian pig meat exports increased 12 percent in 2012

Brazil’s largest pork market in 2012 was the Ukraine at 138,666 tons and Russia at 127,071 tons.
Brazilian pig meat exports increased 12.60 percent in terms of volume and 4.21 percent in terms of value in 2012, according to the Brazilian Swine Producing and Exporting Industry Association (ABIPECS).
In 2012, the main pig meat market for Brazil was the Ukraine at 138,666 tons, an increase of 124.71 percent compared to 2011. The second largest was Russia at 127,071 tons, an increase by 0.5%. The third buyer was Hong Kong, at 124,702 tons, an increase by 3.88 percent as compared to 2011. In the fourth place was Angola at 45,535 tons, a growth of 20.65 percent; followed by Argentina at 23,387 tons, an increase of 44.36 percent compared to 2011. China imported 3,019 tons in 2012 and 25 tons in 2011.
The Brazilian states that exported the most pork during 2012 were Santa Catarina (207,772 tons), Rio Grande do Sul (174,245 tons), Goias (71,477 tons), Paraná (54,469 tons), Minas Gerais (41,527 tons), Mato Grosso do Sul (17,470 tons), Mato Grosso (11,787 tons) and Sao Paulo (2,730 tons).

Brazil pig producers expanding in 2013, facing high feed costs

While Brazil’s pig farmers are facing rising feed costs and other international financial challenges along with the rest of the globe, they are better placed to ride out the current international turmoil than producers in many other parts of the world — and they are already planning to expand their markets in 2013.
“We are fortunate in that our producers are close to some of the best grain-growing regions in the world and we have a large, stable domestic market for the pork we produce,” said Pedro de Camargo Neto, president of Brazil’s Association of Pork Exporters (ABIPECS).
Speaking exclusively to Pig International, de Camargo Neto said that while Brazil is the world’s fourth-largest producer of pork (around 3,300 million metric tons per year), it only exports 18 percent, as about 2,700 metric tons is consumed locally. “Of course, we are also suffering to some extent from the pressure of higher prices for soya, maize and other grains, because they are part of an international pricing system, but we are currently protected by this large, strong local market for our product," he said. "And we are having a difficult year this year, compared with previous years.
“However, we are expecting to grow in 2013 and hope to expand our export market, particularly to China, which is the ‘big prize’ for all pig-producing countries in the West. We are also expecting a continued strong domestic market, which has remained relatively stable for several years.”


A view from a typical Brazilian pig unit.

The country’s export trade is mainly directed towards Russia, the Ukraine and Hong Kong, where it saw an increase of 45.98 percent in volume and 38.47 percent in revenue in September, compared with the same period in 2011. "Now we have also won approval for the Chinese market, and although we are currently just exporting small quantities directly to the country, we hope that these quantities will increase significantly from next year onwards,” said de Camargo Neto.
New markets in Europe aren't expecting the same kind of growth. “We are still waiting for sanitary approval for Europe," said de Camargo Neto. "It seems to be taking a long time to get it. But even when we are approved, I imagine our exports there will be limited by quotas, so we do not expect huge growth in that region.”
Overall, de Camargo Neto said he is confident about the way the sector is developing in Brazil. Producers and breeding companies are “more or less up to date” as far as genetics are concerned, and are also quite advanced in the move towards modern, hi-tech equipment. “We have made a lot of progress in this area, but there is still room for the international companies to introduce the latest systems into the country to help producers to continue to improve production,” he said.

Brazil pig meat exports fall in April

Russia has once again become the main export market for Brazil’s pig meat exporters, accounting for 29.15 percent of the total sold overseas during April, but overall the month proved difficult, with exports down by 6.3 percent in volume and 13.89 percent by value, according to the Brazilian association of pig meat producers and exporters, ABIPECS.
The increase in sales to Russia was the result of four processing plants being approved to export. Yet problems with the Russian market for Brazil are far from over, and sales between January and April were 55.59 percent lower by volume in comparison with the same period in 2011, said ABIPECS.
April saw Brazil export 47,734 tons of pig meat with a value of US$125.22 million. While there may have been some advances in the Russian market, this was not the case with Argentina, which introduced restrictions on Brazilian pig meat exports in February. “Everything has gone back to square one," said Pedro de Camargo Neto, ABIPECS president. "Permits for the import of product are granted in dribs and drabs, and we don’t even know the criteria used to grant them. We have to emphasize that it is the obligation of the federal government to enforce the Treaty of Asuncion that created Mercosul…the Argentinean government appears to be getting what it wants.”

Brazil pig meat exports continue higher in March

The volume of pig meat exported by Brazil in March rose by 6.93 percent, while the value of exports was 3.02 percent higher in comparison to March of 2011, according to data released by the country's pig meat and producers association, Abipecs.
Over the first quarter of 2012, exports rose 3.45 percent by volume and 0.73 percent in value. In March alone, the country exported 47,367 tons, with a value of US$121.01 million. From January to March, figures stand at 122,249 tons and US$313.36 million.
Hong Kong remains the principal destination for Brazilian pig meat exports, accounting for 30 percent of exports so far in 2012. Ukraine has been the second most important market, followed by Russia, Angola and Singapore. “While Russia may have resumed purchasing from four Brazilian facilities, the country is still performing poorly as an export market," said Pedro de Camargo Neto, president of Abipecs.

Brazil poultry, pig feed mineral levels revised

Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry has revoked legislation covering levels of minerals in poultry and pig feed, indicating that Directive 20 of 1997 had become increasingly obsolete due to changes in technology in the feed sector. The legislation was initially introduced to lay down minimum concentrations of minerals in commercial feed, guaranteeing adequate supplies for animals. However, many of these fixed values are no longer relevant as technological developments have permitted lower inclusion levels without comprising production or animal health, according to the ministry. Newer production methods result in better availability and better absorption and use by the animal, allowing lower levels to be added to feed. Another advantage of this change, said the ministry, is that environmental contamination is reduced as fewer minerals are excreted.   

Brazil pig meat exports continue strong in January

January saw Brazil’s exports of pig meat increase in volume by 8.47 percent and in value by 4.08 percent, compared with January 2011. The country shipped 37,756 tons of pig meat with a value of US$96.82 million. The average price of exports fell by 4.05% over the month, according to Abipecs, the Brazilian pig meat producers’ and exporters’ association. The first month of 2012 saw 37 percent of shipments go to Hong Kong, while Russia slipped back to sixth place in terms of importance, behind Hong Kong, Ukraine, Argentina, Angola and Singapore. January’s figures were also boosted by exports to China, which started in late 2011. Sales to Ukraine reached 5,140 tons during January, an increase of 473.43 percent by volume and 419.25 percent in value. To Hong Kong, shipments rose by 99.5 percent in volume and 122.48 percent in value, with Brazil exporting 13,900 tons of pig meat worth US$33.8 million. Despite achieving successes in many markets, the Russian market continued to be disappointing, with volumes down by 85.46 percent and the value of exports falling by 85.92 percent.

Brazil pig producers expand opportunities with US export approval

2012 has started with good news for the Brazilian pig industry, with the announcement of the opening of the U.S. market to imports of Brazilian pig meat.
In 2011, Hong Kong moved into first place among those markets that buy pig meat from Brazil, with Russia falling to second place. According to the Brazilian pig meat producers’ and exporters’ association, ABIPECS, from January to December 2011, Brazil exported 129,734 tons to Hong Kong, an increase of more than 30% in comparison with 2010. By value, sales reached US$323.78 million, an increase of 61.79%. Sales to Russia over the period fell to 126.449 tons, down by 45.96%. By value, the contraction stood at 40%.
Taking into account the Russian sanitary embargo in 2011, with the consequent reduction of sales of some 50%, Brazil closed 2011 with a result that was better than expected. There was a small decrease in exports of pig meat — 4.4% by volume — and an increase in value of 7%. In total, Brazil exported 516,419 tons of pig meat worth US$1.43 billion. Between January and December 2011, there was increase in average prices of approximately 12%. Ranked by importance, the main customers for Brazilian pig meat are Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Argentina and Angola.
The approval of Brazilian pig meat by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service “ends a long process of approval for Brazilian exports," said the president of ABIPECS Pedro de Camargo Neto. "It is now up to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture to publish which processing plants have been officially recognized. We don’t expect to export a lot; however, this represents an indisputable seal of approval."

Brazil pig meat production to end 2011 higher

Brazil’s pig meat production will reach 3.5 million tons by the end of 2011, estimates the country’s producers and exporters association Abipecs, an increase of 4.9% in comparison with 2010 numbers. The increase is attributable to gains in productivity, a higher average slaughter weight in comparison to previous years and the renovation of out-of-date production facilities, the association says.
Brazil’s breeding herd currently stands at 2.48 million head, an increase of 0.6%, while the number of pigs slaughtered under the federal inspection system rose by 4.5% to 30.4 million head. Those pigs slaughtered under other inspection systems fell back to 2008 levels.
Sales to both the home market and overseas have continued strong, with local sales now accounting for 84.7% of production, compared to 83% in 2010. Exports, particularly to Asia, and most notably to Hong Kong, are continuing to grow. To October, exports to Hong Kong reached 107,500 tons, an increase of 32.42% in relation to the same period in 2010. In 2012, Sales to Hong Kong and China are expected to exceed those to Russia, currently Brazil’s number one export market. In October, sales to Russia fell by 83.77% in volume, while the amount sold to Hong Kong rose by 36.77%.

Hong Kong to become Brazil’s main pig meat export destination

By the end of 2011, Hong Kong will become the main market for Brazil's pig meat exports, according to Brazil’s pig meat producers’ and exporters’ association, ABIPECS.
Brazil has been keen to reduce its dependency on trade with Russia and, as well as boosting trade with Hong Kong, it has also succeeded in exporting more to the Ukraine, Angola, Singapore, Uruguay, Albania, Venezuela and Haiti. In 2012, exports to Hong Kong and China should overtake those to Russia, which is still Brazil’s main export market. Exports to Russia in October fell by 83.77% in comparison with October 2010. The first shipments to China are due to occur in November.
Between January and October 2011, Brazil exported 120,730 tons of pig meat to Russia, traditionally its main export market, while exports to Hong Kong reached 105,500 tons.

Brazil pig meat producers coping with Russian restrictions

Over the first nine months of this year, the volume of Brazil’s pig meat exports fell by 5.32% compared to 2010; however, the value of sales rose by 5.53% to US$1.06 billion.
Despite Russia’s restrictions on Brazil’s pig meat exports, the country remains the main overseas purchaser of Brazilian pig meat. The Ukraine, Hong Kong and Argentina, however, have continued to grow in importance as markets for Brazilian producers, helping to offset reduced Russian demand. “Despite Brazil exporting very little to Russia, overseas sales were not so bad in September, with 41,393 tons shipped with a value of US$113.74 million,” said Pedro de Camargo Neto, president of the pig producers and exporters association, ABIPECS.

Brazil second quarter poultry, pig slaughter numbers break records

The number of poultry slaughtered in Brazil during the second quarter of 2011 broke records for the second time, reports the IBGE, the country’s geography and statistics institute.
At 1.31 billion head, the figure was 6% higher than that recorded in the second quarter of 2010 and 0.2% higher than the first quarter of 2011. Over the first six months, the total number of poultry slaughtered rose by 5.8% in comparison with the same period the year before.
Total carcass weight during the second quarter reached 1.852 million tons, 6.8% higher than in the second quarter of 2010 and 2.7% higher than in the first quarter of 2011. According to IBGE, 421 respondents took part in the second quarter poultry slaughter survey, four fewer than in the previous period. Brazil’s three southern states continue to be ranked among the main players for poultry slaughter, accounting for 58.6% of the total volume slaughtered. The southeast was ranked second, accounting for 23%.
The number of poultry slaughtered in the south remained practically unchanged across the first two quarters. However, while numbers were lower in the state of Parana, they were higher in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
Of the 74 million additional head of poultry slaughtered during the second quarter, when compared to the second quarter of 2010, almost half were slaughtered in the states of Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina.

Pig production sharing in success
The slaughter of pigs in Brazil during the second quarter of 2011 reached the highest level since IBGE started collecting data in 1997. The second quarter saw the number of pigs slaughtered reach 8.6 million, an increase of 5.3% when compared with the first quarter of the year. Compared with the corresponding quarter in 2010, the increase was 6.7%. For the first six months, the number of animals slaughtered rose by 5.8% when compared to the first half of 2010.
Total carcass weight reached 824,200 tons, 3.7% higher than the previous quarter and 7.3% higher than in the corresponding 2010 period.
This most recent swine slaughter survey comprised 878 respondents during the second quarter. The southern region of the country accounted for 65.8% of the total number of pigs slaughtered nationwide, with Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul accounting for 26.2% and 21.4%, respectively, and Parana for 18.2%.

Brazil’s pig meat exports continue higher in June

The volume of Brazil’s exports of pig meat in June grew by 12.35% in comparison to 2010. Exports by value rose by 29.65%, partly due to the average price achieved for pig meat during the month. This increase occurred despite the Russian embargo that came into force on June 15. The fact that the embargo was announced at the beginning of the month led to a rapid increase in trade during the first two weeks of the month prior to it coming into force.
While sales to Russia may have been curtailed, exports to Hong Kong and Argentina – Brazil’s second and third most important markets for pig meat – were higher during the month. Sales to Ukraine, however, fell.
While coming too late to affect June’s export figures, the Brazilian pig producers’ and exporters’ association, ABIPECS, notes that the reopening of the South African market at the month end was excellent news. 

South Africa reopens market to Brazil pig meat

South Africa has reopened its market to Brazilian pig meat. As a result of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in 2005, South Africa banned all Brazilian exports of beef and pig meat. Although the restrictions on beef were lifted in 2009, restrictions on pig meat remained in place.
Brazil’s pig producers have urged the government to conclude any bureaucratic measures as quickly as possible to allow producers to access the market and emerge from the crisis currently facing the sector.

Brazil’s poultry, pig producers concerned over Russian import ban

The presidents of Brazil’s poultry union, UBABEF, and pork producers’ and exporters’ union, are calling for urgent measures in response to Russia’s decision to revoke recognition of slaughterhouses in three of the country’s states.
The Russian ban extends to some 80 slaughterhouses and was imposed following inspections that resulted in concerns over monitoring contaminants. Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture has said that its staff will be fully mobilized to overturn the decision.
Russia is an important market for Brazilian poultry exports. Last year, Brazil exported 144,300 tons of poultry meat to Russia, with a value of US$249.5 million. Between January and April 2011, Russia imported 29,700 tons of Brazilian poultry meat, worth US$53 million.