BRAZIL: Surveys conducted by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) show that Brazilian pork exports grew 18.1 per cent in volume during the month of May, when compared to the same period in 2014.
In all, 45,400 tons were exported – the best monthly performance presented by the sector so far in 2015.
In revenue, the result of May this year was eight per cent less than in the fifth month of last year, with $111.8 million.
The acceleration in the pace of shipments was reflected in an improvement in the overall picture of the year, with a total of 181,100 tons exported in the first five months of 2015, volume 7.8 per cent lower than in the same period of 2014 (from January and April, the cumulative decline was -14.1 per cent).
With this balance, the sector earned $432.5 million in revenue, 19.5 per cent lower when compared to that recorded between January and May 2014.
“The improvement in the overall balance confirms our expectations about the resumption of volumes of shipments, which has been happening gradually this year. The scenario should be even more favorable in the second half, reducing accumulated losses at the beginning of 2015,” said Francisco Turra, chief executive of ABPA.
The largest importer of Brazilian pork, Russia, recorded an increase of 20.1 per cent in shipments carried between January and May, with 73,900 tonnes (equivalent to 41.6 per cent of the overall total held by Brazilian exporters).
Next came Hong Kong, with 43,700 tonnes imported (24.6 per cent of the overall total), nine per cent lower than in the first five months of 2014. Third, Angola imported 11,900 tons, with 43.2 per cent of registered fall.
“Russia accelerated purchases in May. In the month, it accounted for 51.3 per cent of shipments, accounting for 59.5 per cent of revenue earned. We hope that this pace will continue in the coming months, offsetting the declines registered in other markets,” explained Vice President of pigs of ABPA, Rui Eduardo Vargas Saldanha.