Pedro Z. Malavolta
Reporter - Agência Brasil

São Paulo - Brazilian chicken exports increased in both volume and revenues in January, compared with January, 2004, according to a report released yesterday (17) by the Brazilian Association of Chicken Producers and Exporters (Abef).

According to the Abef, export earnings in January amounted to US$ 199 million, as against US$ 164 million in January, 2004: an increase of 20.53%. In terms of volume, the increase amounted to 16.6%, rising from 161 thousand tons to 187 thousand. Japan and Saudi Arabia continue to be the biggest buyers. In January alone they imported US$ 39 million and US$ 33 million, respectively.

According to the Abef press office, earnings are growing faster than the volume, because market prices have improved. Both prices and sale volume should continue to rise in consequence of the opening of the Chinese market.

Translation: David Silberstein