Brazilian exports of chicken should end the year at between 3.6 million and 3.7 million tonnes, according to the Brazilian Poultry Exporters Association (Abef). The figures are below the organisation's previous forecasts, 4 million tonnes. However, they are above the total shipped last year, when 3.3 million tonnes were sent abroad.

The estimates were revised after shipments in November dropped to 220,000 tonnes, against 299,000 tonnes in the same month last year. According to a press statement disclosed recently by Abef, the organisation's president, Francisco Turra, pointed out as negative factors the international crisis.

"The international crisis reached several buyer markets, like Russia, Japan and some countries in the Middle East. And Advances on Exchange Contracts (ACCs) have become more expensive and more difficult," said Mr Turra. "In general, the performance for 2008 was very positive, but it could have been better," he added.

Brazil is a global leader in exports of chicken and the main market is the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, Yemen and Oman are among the main Arab destinations for the Brazilian product.

According to a press statement by the Abef, the first quarter of 2009 should present a hard scenery for the sector, causing a reduction of between 10% and 15% in poultry production. However, the president of the organisation said that in the following months there should be recovery, generating growth of 5 per cent in volumes shipped.

Despite the complicated scenery, the organisation says it is going to continue seeking new markets in 2009 and should make shipments to India and China.