Brazilian chicken meat exports, encompassing all products both fresh and processed, totalled 493,200 tonnes in February, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). This figure is the highest ever recorded for the month of February, surpassing the 468,400 tonnes shipped during the same period last year by 5.3%.

The dollar value also set a new record for February, reaching US$945.4 million — an 8.6% increase compared to the US$870.4 million registered in the same month of the previous year. Analysing data by destination, China has regained its position as the leading importer of Brazilian chicken, with 49,400 tonnes shipped in February.

Ricardo Santin, President of ABPA, commented: "In February, we saw the consolidation of the resumption of shipments to China, returning to the same levels previously recorded for this destination — a trend also observed in exports to the European Union. The commercial effects of the avian influenza outbreak recorded — and since overcome — in Brazil's commercial production in May last year have now subsided and should positively influence export performance in the coming months, in line with the rise in shipments to major importing countries."

(Source: Correio do Povo, on 6 March)