In terms of volume, exports grew from 16.5 million dozens, in the first ten months of 2007, to 46.7 million dozens from January to October 2008.

Consequently, the Arab countries have become the leading destination for national egg exports. “In 2006, the region was the third largest destination and received 9.5% of all eggs exported by the country. Currently, the rate has already surpassed 46%,” explains the manager at the Market Development Department of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Rodrigo Solano.

According to Solano, out of the major Arab destinations for Brazilian egg exports, the United Arab Emirates accounts for 65% of purchases. Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq are important markets as well. The manager also called attention to the potential of Arab countries to which exports are still modest, such as Saudi Arabia. “We went to the country on a business mission in February this year. We visited several hypermarket chains, such as Hyper Panda, as well as the ministries of Commerce and Industry, and virtually all of them needed foodstuffs, including eggs, fruit and juices,” said Solano.

According to him, Saudi Arabia is a huge market; it answers to roughly ¼ of everything that the Arab countries import from the world, and around 27% of what Brazil exports to the Arab nations. "More than just centres for people to go shopping in, local hypermarkets offer leisure as well," he stated.

Solano also explained that the Foreign Trade Department of the Arab Brazilian Chamber has contacts to all of the Saudi companies, and can supply them to interested Brazilian businessmen. “Brazilian exporters might want to check with importers for information concerning demands and specifications. Visiting the Saso Website (http://www.saso.org.sa) is a good idea,” he advised. “The Arab Brazilian Chamber Website – www.ccab.org.br - offers varied information as well. In the Useful Links and Partners section, for instance, lots of data and contacts can be found,” he finished off.

The national egg capital

Bastos produces 11.9 million eggs a day in 130 granges

The city of Bastos, located 549 kilometres away from the city of São Paulo, is known as the “national egg capital.” The city produces 11.9 million eggs a day in its 130 commercial egg farms. Annual production totals 2 billion eggs, approximately 138 eggs per second.

Bastos currently accounts for approximately 40% of egg production in the state of São Paulo, and 20% of Brazilian production as a whole. Presently, the municipality's egg farms house around 17 million egg-laying hens.

So far, the production of the municipality of Bastos is geared at the domestic market and national industries. Local farmers, however, are already paying attention to opportunities in the international market. “I believe that as a result of the rising global demand, our production should grow further and further. Thus, local farmers will soon be able to invest in certification and then start exporting,” said the president at the Bastos Rural Union, Shigeyuki Toyoshima.