7 July 2011

2 minute read

South America

The fall in Brazilian shipments resulted from dearer cattle prices despite relatively stable production, as there was stronger domestic beef consumption, which accounts for 76 per cent of total production, and a seven per cent year-on-year appreciation in the Brazilian real to US60¢.

Although Brazilian beef production during the nine months to March decreased only two per cent to five million tonnes (due to ongoing tight cattle supplies since 2007), average heavy steer prices rose 27 per cent to BR$3.32/kg lwt.

However, the export industry faced a tougher year with lower margins, as average heavy steer prices increased 37 per cent to US198.5¢/kg lwt, while average export prices rose by a lower 27 per cent to US$4,642/tonne.

Although Russia remained Brazil's main single destination (taking 33 per cent of total shipments), exports to this market fell five per cent to 289,787 tonnes swt. However, the Middle East region was Brazil's major market, taking 42 per cent of the total and rising six per cent year-on-year to 363,947 tonnes swt. The lift in exports to the Middle East was driven by an eight per cent increase in shipments to Iran (172,054 tonnes swt) and a 49 per cent increase in exports to Egypt (to 100,738 tonnes swt).

South America was Brazil's third largest market, up 21 per cent to 67,808 tonnes swt, driven by a four per cent increase in shipments to Venezuela (to 45,918 tonnes swt) and an 89 per cent rise in exports to Chile to 21,470 tonnes swt.

Shipments to the EU market were limited to only 5 per cent of total exports, falling nine per cent year-on-year to 42,935 tonnes swt due to the ongoing approved cattle property restrictions to that market since 2008.

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