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In March this year, pork exports totaled 42,418 tons, up 30% from March 2003. Revenue climbed 66% to $56.4 million.

The decrease in volume shipped over the first quarter was due to a new system of import quotas implemented for 2004 by Russia.

While some pork exporters gained individual quotas for this year, Brazil will have to compete for a 179,500 tons joint quota with several other countries.

Abipecs had initially expected to glean 70% of the 179,500 tons joint quota (125,600 tons). Brazil exported 313,940 tons of pork to Russia in 2003.

On the other hand, the prices paid for Brazil's beef exports have risen in 2004.

In March the average fob (free on board) price of pork exports was $1,331/ton. The first-quarter average was $1,302/t, up 31% from the same period last year.

According to Abipecs, one reason for this is that the Russians have chosen to import Brazil pork products with a greater added value, so as to soften the impact of the new quotas.

This means that while Brazil's pork exports to that market dropped 27.5% in the first quarter to 49,902 tons from 68,870 tons, revenue fell only 1.24% to $66.32 million.

Source: eFeedLink - 23rd April 2004