Brazil cited as a leading poultry exporter

Findings in the report suggest that low on-farm production costs have helped Brazil to become a competitive exporter of soybeans, grains and meats in recent years. The report surmises that exports from Brazil will continue to grow, but slowly, due to the current financial environment.

According to the report, the poultry industry in Brazil was an “important and growing” one and, in 2011, Brazil was the third leading producer of broiler meat, accounting for 15% of global production. The broiler sector in Brazil was behind only China (16%) and the US (22%) and the report said it is a highly export-focused market.  

Results in the report showed that Brazil was the largest global exporter of poultry, with one quarter of broiler production in Brazil exported compared to just 18% of US production. However, growing domestic consumption, competition and a weak global economy have led to the share of Brazilian exports falling, revealed the report.

Competitiveness in the poultry industry has been affected by several factors, including the cost of production, product differentiation, market access, transportation and exchange rates. However, Brazil’s ability to meet the needs of specific markets, such as the halal market in the Middle East, has helped to develop export competitiveness, according to the report.

Threats to the safety of Brazil’s poultry production, which were outlined in the report, are an increase in labour rates, high transportation costs and the“appreciation” of the real.

Between 2006 and 2011 poultry consumption in Brazil grew by 41% and now the country accounts for 11% of global poultry consumption. On a per capita basis, consumption of poultry in Brazil grew from 36.5kg in 2006 to 44kg in 2012, which the report said was a 21% increase. This sharp increase has been attributed to a rise in incomes and a trend to consume a wider variety of products, as well as poultry having a lower price than pork and beef.