Brazilian poultry exports capitalise on Russian sanctions

Brazil will supply Russia with 150,000 of poultry meat this year, which is more than double the usual amount and will make Brazil the largest supplier on the Russian market, according to the estimations of the Brazilian Poultry Association (UBABEF).

Francisco Turra, leader of UBABEF has been encouraged by the opportunities arising after implementation of the Russian ban on the import of agricultural products from countries that have adhered to the sanctions against Russia.

Turra believes that the rise of Brazilian poultry supplies to Russia will allow Brazil poultry exports to reach the total level of 4 million tonnes per year.

Until now, the level of supply of chicken to Russia from Brazil never exceeded 60,000 tonnes per year. Brazil farmers lost the fight with US producers, which had a supply quota of 150,000 tonnes of poultry meat per year. Also previously a large number of Brazilian poultry farmers were banned from supplying poultry to the Russian market, but at the end of last week Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselhoznadzor has allowed the supplies of poultry products from 20 Brazilian companies.

Experts say that the ban on poultry imports was directed primarily at US poultry farmers, who are the largest supplier amongst the counties which imposed sanctions against Russia.