In the monthly review, growth was 0.2 per cent in the total volume shipped in March of this year compared with the same period of 2013, reaching 332,300 tonnes. With a total of $640.9 million, revenues in the sector's export market declined by 14.3 per cent.

According to the president of ABPA Francisco Turra, proportionally, shipments of chicken had greater influence on the positive outcome of the volumes shipped and the negative balance in the sector.

Also in relation to shipments of chicken, explained the vice president of poultry of ABPA, Ricardo Santin, the performance of certain exported segments improved the outcome of the sector.

"The increase in sales of chicken cuts with higher average value mitigated the decline in revenue, adding more value to exports," said Mr Santin.

Chicken meat

Brazilian exports of chicken were up 0.7 per cent in volume in the first three months of 2014, totaling 907,300 tons shipped. In revenue, there was a decrease of 11.5 per cent, reaching $1.705 billion between January and March this year.

Considering only the monthly shipment, exports fell 0.5 per cent in March this year, which was 318,100 tonnes. There was also a reduction in revenue by 16.1 per cent to $595.7 million in the period.

500,900 tonnes of chicken cuts were shipped between January and March, an increase of 7 per cent over the same period in 2013. Secondly, shipments of whole products reached 325,400 tonnes (-7.5 per cent). Cured meat, in third place, totaled 41,400 tonnes (-1.2 per cent). Finally, exports of processed products reached 39.7 thousand tons (+0.8 per cent).

Ranking as the leading export destinations, the Middle East remained a major importer, with 332,000 tonnes (-4.6 per cent). Asia has occupied second place, importing 270,500 tonnes (+7.5 per cent) of chicken from Brazil . African countries - the third largest destination - accounted for 125,300 tonnes (1.7 per cent). In fourth place, shipments to the European Union totaled 101,000 tonnes (-0.8 per cent).

Eggs

Exports of fresh and processed eggs totaled in the first quarter of this year 3700 tonnes, 26.8 per cent lower compared to the same period last year. In revenue, the decrease was 41.5 per cent, with $ 5.2 million.

There was a decrease of 40.9 per cent in volumes (533 tons) and 46.5 per cent in revenue (US$835,000).

The Middle East remained the main destination for exports in the first quarter, with 2.9 thousand tons, an increase of 44 per cent over the same period last year. Africa - the second largest importer - was responsible for 485 tons (-81 per cent). The countries of the Americas, with 339.9 tonnes (-21 per cent) and Asia, with 22.4 tons (-67 per cent) complete the list.

Turkeys

Shipments of turkey meat in the first quarter of 2014 fell by 12 per cent compared to the same period last year, totaling 32,700 tonnes. There was also a decrease in revenue of 16.5 per cent, to $88.1 million.

The monthly review revealed an increase of 11.1 per cent in volume (total of 11,400 tonnes) and 15.5 per cent in revenue (US$31.4 million).

Ducks and geese

On the ducks and geese segment, an increase of 806 per cent was recorded during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year, amounting to a total of 3.5 tons. Revenues also increased significantly by 239.8 per cent, to $ 3.7 million.