Brazil on track for record-large chicken exports as bird flu hurts competitors

BRF SA

08/11/2023 17:01

By Ana Mano and Roberto Samora
       SAO PAULO, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Brazilian chicken sales are
on track for record-large volumes this year, industry group ABPA
said on Wednesday, with the country's commercial flocks avoiding
bird flu infections that have limited shipments from
competitors, including the United States. 
   Brazil, the biggest global chicken exporter, shipped more
than 400,000 metric tons in October, including fresh and
processed chicken products, taking the year's total volume to
4.307 million tons so far, 6.1% more than in the same period a
year ago, ABPA said. The group projects exports to reach more
than 5 million tons for the year, with China currently the
largest buyer.
    Export revenue for the 10-month period reached $8.301
billion, up 1.3%.
    Brazil's avian flu-free status with the World Organisation
for Animal Health, or OIE, helped keep the country's chicken
exports competitive, ABPA said in a statement to Reuters.
    Strong exports look to continue into 2024, ABPA Chief
Ricardo Santin said. 
    Brazil, home to poultry processors JBS SA  JBSS3.SA  and BRF
SA  BRFS3.SA , has never had any commercial flocks detected with
bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. 
    The bird flu health crisis has sparked bans on imports from
other countries, including the United States. 
    While bird flu outbreaks were only detected in
non-commercial Brazilian poultry farms, Japan unilaterally
suspended imports from two states for a time. 
    On Tuesday, the Brazilian government extended a 180-day
health emergency to protect companies from the threat of
commercial-flock infection.
   China was Brazil's biggest chicken export destination through
October, buying 592,600 tons, or 31% more than during the same
period in 2022, ABPA said. Saudi Arabia imported 305,000 tons,
up 5%, and South Africa increased Brazilian chicken meat imports
by 25% to 286,000 metric tons.

 (Reporting by Ana Mano and Roberto Samora; Editing by Rod
Nickel)
 ((ana.mano@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +55-11-5644-7704; Mob:
+55-119-4470-4529; Reuters Messaging:
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