The number of markets that buy Brazilian beef rose this year from 106 to 140. For the Brazilian Association of Meat Export Industries (Abiec), the 34-country increase in a single year reflects the consolidation of Brazilian leadership in an area that demands quality and hygiene.
181 thousand tons of beef were shipped in October, 33% more than in October, 2003. The earnings amounted to US$ 223 million.
Between January and October, exporters sold 1.5 million tons and received US$ 2 billion. Last year’s revenues for the same period were 69% lower.
Over the past 12 months, the sector has shipped 1.8 million tons and received US$ 1.3 billion, 66% more than during the corresponding period in 2002-03.
For Marcus Vinicius Pratini de Moraes, president of the Abiec, this result is important for two reasons: It demonstrates the competitiveness of the Brazilian product, which possesses quality and hygiene, and it reduces the country’s exposure to eventual problems in one market or another, in a context in which new commercial barriers are liable to be imposed in the name of animal and plant hygiene.
Pratini de Moraes emphasized that Brazil managed to expand the market in consequence of “a great marketing effort.”
The country’s current list of clients includes countries like Moldova and Kazakhstan, and Brazil’s position is being solidified in neighboring countries such as Venezuela.
“Last year we made a marketing effort that had a big influence on this outcome,” he affirmed.
At present, the most important importers of Brazilian fresh beef are Russia, the Low Countries, Italy, Chile, Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Together, these markets absorbed 87 thousand tons of Brazilian meat in October. The earnings totaled US$ 127 million.
Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
