Bovine meat exports from Brazil grow by 20%

Revenues from Brazilian exports of bovine meat increased by 20% in the first eight months of this year in comparison with the same period of 2006. From January until August, sales of the product yielded US$ 2.9 billion to companies and slaughterhouses in Brazil. In terms of volume, exports also grew by 14.6%, to reach 1.77 million tonnes.
Egypt was the second largest importer during the period, revenue-wise, as it spent US$ 258.8 million on Brazilian raw bovine meat, the equivalent of 206,600 tonnes. Despite maintaining its position in the ranking, imports by the Arab country decreased by 6.35% during the period, with regard to revenues, and recorded a 7.01% reduction in product volume.
Russia was the leading importer of the product from January until August, at 410 tonnes, and revenues of US$ 537.2 million. The import growth rate by Russia stood at 95% in volume and 69% in value. In the segment of industrialised meats, the United States was the leading buyer, revenue-wise, at US$ 194 million and 106,600 tonnes. The second largest importer of industrialised meats was the United Kingdom, which purchased 105,700 tonnes, the equivalent of US$ 112.6 million.
Nevertheless, according to the organization, in the month of August, exports revenues decreased by 5.12% in comparison with August 2006. Revenues from sales stood at US$ 382 million. The export volume was 214,000 tonnes, a 13.78% reduction over the same month of last year. In August this year, the leading buyers of raw meat from Brazil were also Russia and Egypt.
According to a press release issued by the Abiec, one of the reasons for the decline in sales in August was a baseless campaign against Brazilian meat promoted by English and Irish cattle raisers. According to the organization, they are concerned with the good performance of Brazilian exports in the sector, therefore they have been spreading "misinformation against Brazil." Another factor that contributed to the decline was the emergence of clusters of aphthous fever in England, which inhibited consumption of bovine meat in the European country.
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