Brazilian exports of chicken meat (considering all products, including fresh and processed) totaled 381.1 thousand tons in May, reports the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). The number is 14.4% higher than the performance recorded in the same period last year, when 333.2 thousand tons were shipped.
Shipping revenue, with US$ 658.9 million, showed even more significant growth, with an increase of 27.3% in relation to the performance of May 2018, with US$ 517.6 million.
In the year to date (January to May), sales of chicken meat reached a volume of 1.659 million tons, a balance 3.6% higher than that obtained in the same period last year, with 1.601 million tons. With this performance, the sector generated revenue of US$ 2.766 billion, a balance 6.3% greater than the US$ 2.602 billion generated in the first five months of 2018.
Sales of chicken meat to China were the highlight of the month. The main destination for Brazilian exports (14.7% of the total exported in the month), the Asian country imported 54.8 thousand tons in May, a volume 49% higher than that recorded in the same period last year.
“China isolated itself as the main destination for Brazilian shipments. The effect generated on the market by the health crisis in the Asian country boosted imports, which also had an effect on market profitability, with an increase in average prices”, highlights Francisco Turra, president of ABPA.
Another highlight of the month, sales to the United Arab Emirates reached 30.7 thousand tons in May (8.2% of the total), a balance 49% above that made in the same period last year. The European Union has also expanded its imports of chicken meat from Brazil. In total, there were 26.2 thousand tons in May (7% of the total), a volume 26% above that made in the fifth month of 2018.
“The disruption in the market generated by China occurs at a time when other relevant importers have increased their purchases. There is also good news coming from Mexico, where shipments should gain new momentum with the publication of additional import quotas”, highlights Ricardo Santin, executive director of ABPA.
