This represents an increase of 40% in comparison with the same period last year. Exports totaled US$ 924 million, 70% more than in the first nine months of 2006.
Second in the ranking, according to the Abef, is the European Union, which imported 402,000 tons, a 40% increase over the period ranging from January to September last year. Shipments to the region yielded US$ 900 million, a 75% increase using the same basis for comparison.
Exports to Asia totaled 590,000 tons, 6% more, and revenues obtained reached US$ 845 million, an increase of 26%, still according to the Abef.
The African continent imported 175,000 tons of chicken, a 7% reduction in comparison with the first nine months of 2006. Revenues from shipments to Africa, though, rose by 20% to reach US$ 153 million.
Russia purchased 142,000 tons from January to September, 5% less than in the same period of last year. Nevertheless, revenues grew by 32% to reach US$ 207 million. To other Latin American countries, Brazil exported 129,000 tons, a 17% increase in comparison with the first nine months of 2006. Shipments totaled US$ 156 million, a 26% rise using the same basis of comparison.
In total, Brazil exported 2.4 million tons of chicken from January to September, 22% more than in the same period of last year. Revenues totaled US$ 3.4 billion, an increase of 52%.
According to the Abef, the performance is a result of a worldwide increase in poultry meat consumption. The average price of one kilogram of chicken went up from US$ 1.26 in January this year to US$ 1.55 in September, an increase of 22%.
In September alone, shipments totaled 242,000 tons, a 15% increase over the same month of 2006. Monthly revenues stood at US$ 386 million, a 52% increase using the same basis of comparison.
The Abef also informed that from the 13th to the 17th of the current month, it will participate in the Anuga, one of the world's largest food and beverage fairs, to be held in Cologne, Germany.
The organization is supported by the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex). A total of 18 companies affiliated to the Abef will be present at the fair.
Anba