São Paulo - Brazilian exports of chicken rose to a new record 252,623 tons in August, 30.4% more than in August 2003. Revenue from August 2004 chicken exports reached US$ 243.9 million. Cumulatively for this year, from January to August, chicken exports (totalling 1,597,000 tons) are up 26%, compared to the same períod in 2003. Meanwhile revenue for the period (totalling US$ 1.706 billion). is up 53.8%, compared to the same period in 2003.

The chicken exporter association (Abef) reports that the numbers show they were on target with their forecasts for the year of an increase of 8% to 10% in volume, and 25% in revenue.

The main importer of Brazilian chicken is Saudi Arabia, which imported 211,214 tons between January and August this year, an increase of 20.5% over 2003 imports. But chicken exports to Japan rose most (helped by sanitation problems with bird flu in China and Thailand): up 64.5% to 204,389 tons.

However, while chicken exports to Asia and the Mideast rose this year, in Europe they dropped 15.5% in volume due to protectionism. Revenue from chicken exports to Europe rose a sickly 0.5% during the period.

Agência Brasil
Reporter:Fabiana Uchinaka
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/21/2004