The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) recorded that a combined (fresh and processed) total of 348,400 tons of chicken meat were shipped during February, up 10% on the 316,700 tons in the same month 2019.
Shipment value was 5.2% higher year-on-year, up from $526.4m in 2019 to $553.8m.
Combining the data for January and February, the volume of chicken meat shipped reached 672,200 tons, 12.3% higher than that achieved in the first two months of 2019 (598,400 tons).
In revenue terms, there was an 10.5% increase, with US$1.082bn of sales in 2020, compared to US$980.4m in the same period of 2019.
Exports to China saw significant growth over the first two months of the year, driving the category’s success. It imported 115,400 tons in January and February 2020, 59% more (in volume terms) than that the same period of 2019, and accounted for 17.5% of the total exports.
“As with pig exports, the extension of the Chinese New Year and the logistical issues generated by the retention of the coronavirus did not reduce the Chinese demand for chicken meat from Brazil. On the contrary, there was an unusual impulse for the period. The impacts on African Swine Fever continue to dictate the behavior of this market, as well as in other Asian countries,” said ABPA president Francisco Turra.
South Korea growth
South Korea was the destination of 17,500 tons of Brazilian chicken meat in the first two months of the year, a 12.5% growth compared to the first two months of 2019. The Philippines also increased purchases by 104%, with 14,700 tons imported, and Singapore increased its purchases by 49%, with 18,300 tons of Brazilian chicken mear between January and February.
“Asia has consolidated itself as the main destination for imports of chicken meat from Brazil. This is a favorable fact, especially when we find that the average price practiced in sales to this region of the globe is higher than the general average of exports,” added Santin.
In the same comparative period, the European Union increased its purchases by 14%, with a total of 40,200 tons. Meanwhile, Libya was a major highlight with an year-on-year increase of 370% in its imports, with 16,300 tons.