Brazilian chicken meat exports totalled US$591.7 million in September, representing growth of 20.4 per cent compared with the same month last year. In terms of volume, 337,800 tonnes were shipped, representing growth of 16.5 per cent. The data were disclosed yesterday (6 October) by the Brazilian Poultry Farming Union (Ubabef).

International post-crisis price recovery has influenced the export result, according to a statement issued by the Ubabef. Shipments from January to September increased by five per cent over the same period last year, and totalled 2.851 million tonnes. During the period, chicken sales reached US$4.963 billion, as against US$4.236 billion in the first nine months of 2009, representing an increase of 17.2 per cent.

President of the Ubabef, Francisco Turra, said in a statement: "Given the recovery of international consumption levels and considering the good result thus far, we expect the total volume of chicken exports in 2010 to be five to seven per cent greater than last year."

This year, chicken exports are expected to total 3.8 million tonnes, generating US$6.8 billion in revenues.