According to him, the performance in 2009 should be similar to that of 2008, when 3.645 tonnes of chicken meat were exported, or else there should be growth of 1 per cent.

Turra stated, according to a release issued by the Abef, that the result contrasts with the average annual growth of 11 per cent in exports that took place in the last eight years. He added that shipments in 2009 were only kept going by the opening of new markets, especially China.

Among the factors that harmed exports, Turra mentioned the international financial crisis and the strong appreciation of the real (Brazilian currency) against the dollar, which, according to him, reduced the competitiveness and profitability of the Brazilian product.

According to the Abef, Brazilian chicken exports totalled 269,000 tonnes in November, having totalled 3.32 tonnes in the year-to-date period ended in the month, a figure that represents reduction of 1.74 per cent compared with the same period of 2009. Revenues from shipments decreased 19.16 per cent using the same basis for comparison.

Turra stated that in 2010, the organization is going to implement a strategic plan focusing on consolidating or entering 30 different markets.