Brazilian chicken and pork producers set for record year
Brazil is the world's top supplier of chicken
2 August 2024
2 minute read
By: Brazilian chicken and pork processors are poised to produce and export record volumes of both this year, according to revised projections by meat lobby ABPA, which represents companies such as JBS and BRF, reported Reuters.
Chicken production in Brazil, the world's top supplier, is expected to grow by up to 1.8% this year and reach 15.1 million metric tons.
The outlook is also positive for pork processors, who are expected to increase output and exports due to the benign effects of lower pork production and exports out of Europe, ABPA said.
Chicken exports are projected to rise by as much as 2.2% to 5.25 million tons, even after a recent outbreak of Newcastle disease which triggered temporary trade bans that remain in place.
Chicken exports from the country are still blocked nationwide to countries like China, Mexico and Argentina. Regional embargoes on exports from Rio Grande do Sul, where the outbreak occurred, remain in place for sales to countries including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Peru and Chile, ABPA said.
Brazil is expected to export around 437,000 tons of chicken products on average per month this year, according to ABPA data. Trade restrictions could affect sales of as much as 60,000 tons per month, the lobby said. However, Brazil can redirect shipments to minimize that impact, ABPA's President Ricardo Santin said.
The government said last week the outbreak of Newcastle disease had ended but local meat processors are awaiting importers' approval to resume trade after the outbreak, which was isolated in southern Brazil.
"All of the countries received information about the end of the outbreak," said Santin, adding the industry hopes trade restrictions will be lifted soon.
For pork, of which Brazil is the world's fourth-largest supplier, exports could be boosted by much as 7.7% in 2024 to 1.325 million tons, ABPA said.
It also noted that if China imposes dumping measures against European pork processors, Brazil, the US and Canada would tend to benefit.
Brazil's pork production this year will rise by 1%, ABPA said.
