Beef exports continue to rise despite concerns
Despite concerns in Brazil over falling beef consumption and the effect this could have on the availability of raw materials in the leather industry, the country’s beef exports continue to climb.
According to figures released by the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec) exports increased 10.5% year-on-year in terms of volume in the first ten months of 2007 (January to October) to reach 2.17 million tones and by 16% in terms of value at $3.7 billion.
Russia remains the main export market, consuming 531,000 tonnes in the ten-month period and generating revenues of $735 million, followed by Egypt at 239,000 tonnes worth $306 million and the Netherlands at 66,000 tonnes valued at $275 million.
However, despite this continued upward trend, there are some signs that a slowdown may be on the horizon. Although October shipments improved year-on-year, they only increased 4.6%, which was below the rate of growth seen over the first ten months of the year.
