In the first half of 2015, Brazilian exports dropped below the levels of the previous year. However, high shipments during the third quarter of 2015 resulted in exports for the year to date being ahead by 9 per cent .

Over the nine month period, the value of exports recorded an increase 18 per cent , totalling R$2.8 billion. The ongoing depreciation of the Brazilian real had a strong impact on trade during the months of July to September, with total pork exports up by more than a third at 142,000 tonnes.

The value of this trade was up 41 per cent in the Brazilian currency, compared with the third quarter of 2014, but down 8 per cent in US dollar terms, showing how the exchange rate has helped make Brazilian pork more price competitive.

The increase in exports was largely driven by Russia, with Brazil continuing to be one of the few countries with access to that market.

In the third quarter of 2015, exports increased by 74 per cent as Russia looked to source pork from countries other than the EU, Canada and the US. Hong Kong also recorded increases of Brazilian pork, with an additional 6,100 tonnes coming into the country in the same time period.

Whilst trade to Angola remained stable, Singapore recorded a decrease in shipments of 18 per cent . China has become a market for Brazil, albeit a small one so far, with exports for the first nine months of 2015 totalling 2,200 tonnes.

Over 80 per cent of this came in the third quarter, with Brazil finally being able to make inroads into this market, which has the potential to expand in the future.