Brazilian poultry exports reached nearly US$4 billion in the first half, an increase of 28.5 per cent compared with the same period of last year, reports Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA). Approximately two million tonnes were shipped, a 6.8 per cent increase using the same basis of comparison. The information was disclosed yesterday (4 July) by the Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef).

According to a statement issued by the Ubabef, its CEO, Francisco Turra, claimed that the growth could have been greater, if it were not for the depreciation of the US dollar against Brazil's real, which theoretically makes Brazilian products more expensive abroad.

Mr Turra said in a statement: "The truth of the matter is that we could have had even stronger growth, due to increased international market demand. However, we are losing competitiveness by the hour. Thus, we maintain our growth forecast of between three per cent and five per cent in shipments [in 2011]."

The Middle East remained the leading destination for Brazilian exports. Revenues from sales to the region totalled US$1.36 billion, an increase of 31.7 per cent over the first quarter of 2010. A total of 718,000 tonnes were shipped, growth of 8.6 per cent using the same basis of comparison.

Asia ranked second among the target markets for Brazilian products, followed by the European Union, Africa, the Americas and non-EU European countries.