MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazilian beef exports yield 1.8 billion in five months

Brazilian beef exports netted 443 million US dollars in May, a new monthly record high according to the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec). Shipments totaled 266.000 tons, up 28.6% over May 2006.

The Abiec release shows that in the first five months of 2007, exports yielded 1.8 billion US dollars, 39.4% increase over the same period last year and totaling 1.1 million tons, 33.4% more than in the first five months of 2006. According to Abiec president, Marcus Vinicius Pratini de Moraes May numbers were helped by an increase in cattle supply, greater sales to emerging markets, higher demand for higher valued special cuts and better prices for offal. Russia continues to be Brazil's main beef market with United States and Britain leading in industrialized meat. Egypt remains the second largest beef importer having purchased 35 million US dollars in May and 153 million US dollars so far this year. "For some time now Brazilian exporters have been selling special cuts, more elaborate products for more demanding markets. This means we've started to win the price championship; we're already leaders in terms of volume since 2003" stated Pratini de Moraes. Abiec said Brazil has been involved in aggressive marketing activities with promotional barbecues in potential buyer countries. The Arab world, a constant target for this program has seen such events in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates and with the Arab community in Rome, Italy, among other places. Normally in the range of 200 guests are invited to such events including importers, government representatives and journalists.