Brazilian chicken exports to China grow 59%, despite Covid19

The average price is higher than the general average of exports, points out Ricardo Santin, executive director of ABPA. Photo: Fabian Brockotter

China had imported 115,400 tons of Brazilian chicken meat during the 2020 first bimester, 59% more than the same period in 2019. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, other factors, like depressed meat production in the country due to ASF, are still favouring international trade. Total shipments to all the world increases 12.3% in the first 2 months of 2020.

In February alone, Brazil exported 348,400 tons of poultry (all products, from fresh to processed), according to Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) to more than 180 countries. The number is 10% higher than the shipments made same month 2019 when 316.7 thousand tons were exported.

February exports generated revenues of US$ 553.8 million, a result 5.2% higher than the US$ 526.4 million made in the same period of 2019. “As with pig exports, Chinese New Year and logistical issues did not reduce Chinese demand for Brazilian chicken. On the contrary, there was a surprising impulse,” analyses Francisco Turra, president of ABPA.

Adding up January and February, the volume shipped reached 672,200 tons, 12.3% higher in comparison to the first 2 months of 2019, with 598,400 tons. In revenue, numbers are up 10.5%, with US$ 1,082 billion in 2020, against US$ 980.4 million made last year.

In the Asian context, South Korea was the destination of 17,500 tons in the first 2 months of this year, surpassing the first 2 month of last year by 12.5%. Philippines increased its demand by 104%, with 14,700 tons, and Singapore by 49%, with 18,300 tons between January and February.

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“Asia has consolidated itself as the main destination for our products. This is a favourable fact, especially when we find that the average price is higher than the general average of exports,” points out Ricardo Santin, executive director of ABPA. In the same comparative period, the European Union increased its imports by 14%, with a total of 40,200 tons. Among the Islamic countries, the main highlight is Libya, with an increase of 370%, with 16,300 tons.