Brazilian beef exports skyrocket in October

According to data from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade, released by the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (ABIEC), the volume of beef exported in October was 185,537 tonnes, a 15% rise on the same period last year. This represents the largest monthly volume ever shipped by the country and the highest revenue in a single month.

In terms of revenue, the month ended with revenues of $808.4m, 30% above the same month in 2018.

Compared to September, October’s sales figures show a 33% increase in revenues and 28% in volume shipped.

From January to October 2019, 1,463,922 tonnes of beef were exported, with revenues of $5.776bn, a 9.9% and 7.5% growth, respectively compared to the same period last year.

“The results show the consolidation of Brazilian beef in the main international markets,”​ said ABIEC president Antonio Jorge Camardelli.

One of the main drivers of this growthg is the increase in exports to China, which in October totalled 65,827 tonnes, almost 62% growth over the previous month. When looking at the types of products, fresh meat sales increased 29.4% compared to September, totalling 160,099 tonnes.

Chinese authorities have approved multiple Brazilian plants over the past month, showing strong relations between the two countries.

It wasn’t just beef that had a strong October – Brazilian pork exports also saw growth. Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) statistics found that Brazilian pork exports (both in natura​ and processed) reached revenues of $149.6m in October. The number is the largest monthly balance recorded in the last 24 months and is a 38.4% year-on-year increase.

During the month, 68,100 tonnes were shipped, 8% more than in the same period of 2018 (63,000 tonnes).

In the year-to-date (January to October), pork exports increased 23% reaching sales of $1.23bn - against $1bn in the same period of 2018.  

592,300 tonnes were exported in the first 10 months of the year, 11.66% higher than in the same period of the previous year, with 530,500 tonnes

“Sales to Asia continue to boost pork exports, with October shipments increasing 81% to China and 19% to Hong Kong,”​ said ABPA president Francisco Turra.

On the poultry side, it wasn’t quite as positive. Revenue from chicken meat exports (both fresh​ and processed) totalled $5.7bn between January and October - 4.3% higher than in the previous year.

In October alone, export revenues totalled $536.5m, 7.1% lower than in the same period of 2018, with US $ 577.8 million. 334,000 tonnes were exported, 8.8% less than the 366,100 tonnes shipped in the same month last year.

“Chicken meat sales were better qualified in October this year, recording an average price 1.8% higher than the previous year. At the same time, Asia's health situation continues to have effects on exports, with 39% increase in exports to China,”​ added ABPA's executive director Ricardo Santin.