China, lower grain prices bolster Brazil beef and chicken export prospects

BRF SA

07/01/2025 17:43

By Ana Mano
       SAO PAULO, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Beef and chicken exports
from Brazil, the world's largest supplier of both meat types,
may break new records in 2025, two industry groups said on
Tuesday after the release of annual trade data.   
    Their optimism reflects the positive effects of lower grain
prices and a weak Brazilian currency, which could continue to
bolster meat exports and local companies including JBS
 JBSS3.SA  and BRF  BRFS3.SA .
    China remained Brazil's main destination for both beef and
chicken exports, according to the trade groups. Beef exports to
China alone brought in $6 billion, the data showed. 
    Overall, Brazil exported a total of 2.89 million tons of
beef last year, up more than 26% compared with the previous
year, according to government data compiled by the domestic beef
lobby Abiec. Sales totaled $12.8 billion, 22% more than in 2023.
    "It was a historic year for the national beef industry, for
the livestock sector and for Brazil," said Abiec President
Roberto Perosa in a statement. "Even though it is still early to
make a prediction, I believe that 2025 has everything we need to
break the record by volume and also by revenue." 
    Abiec said the Brazilian government is in talks to open up
key markets like Japan, Vietnam, Turkey and South Korea.
    Chicken meat exports, in turn, rose 3% to 5.294 million tons
in 2024, according to chicken and pork lobby ABPA. Chicken
export revenue was also a record $9.928 billion, up 1.3%
compared with 2023.
    "The year's trade balance confirms ABPA's expectations and
also points to new levels of average shipment volumes exceeding
440,000 tons per month," said ABPA President Ricardo Santin.
"The indicators remain positive for 2025, with potential new
monthly increases and expectation of numbers relatively higher
than in the previous year."

 (Reporting by Ana Mano and Roberto Samora in Sao Paulo
Writing by Ana Mano
Editing by Matthew Lewis)
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