Brazil steers clear of bird flu, to raise chicken production in 2023, 2024 -ABPA (updated)

BRF SA

19/12/2023 14:33

(New headline and lead focusing on bird flu; adds fresh export
projections)
    By Ana Mano
       SAO PAULO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Brazil, the world's top
chicken supplier, has continued to up production even after the
arrival of the highly contagious bird flu virus, which has not
reached commercial farms but was detected in national territory
for the first time in May.
    According to projections released on Tuesday by pork and
poultry lobby ABPA, the South American nation is expected to
produce up to 14.9 million tons of chicken meat through the end
of this year and up to 15.35 million tons in 2024.  
    This represents an annual output increase of up to 2.6% for
2023 and up to 3.7% for 2024. With this year's boost and demand
from importers, Brazil is expected to hold a nearly 38% market
share of the global chicken trade, up from around 36% in 2022,
ABPA said.
    Ricardo Santin, ABPA president, praised Brazil's ability to
protect its commercial poultry farms after the avian influenza
virus killed wild birds, sea mammals and subsistence animals.
    He cautioned, however, that farmers and companies will have
to learn how to live with the disease, saying "the virus will be
around all the time."
    ABPA, which represents companies including BRF SA  BRFS3.SA 
 and JBS SA  JBSS3.SA , said local firms have also been
increasing pork production steadily. 
    Pork output in the world's fourth-biggest exporter will grow
to up to 5.1 million tons in 2023 and to up to 5.15 million tons
in 2024, ABPA said. 
    Brazilian chicken exports in 2023 will end at a record of up
to 5.15 million tons, ABPA said. For 2024, Brazilian chicken
exports will reach up to 5.3 million tons, as the world
continues to demand Brazilian chicken products.
    Prospects are also positive for Brazilian pork exports,
which are estimated at up to 1.22 million tons in 2023 and up to
1.3 million for next year.
    According to ABPA representatives, Brazil is closing in on
Canada and may surpass that country to become the world's
third-biggest pork exporter as sales from the North American
nation drop.

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