Brazilian beef exports up by 35%

Marts: Brazil increased overall exports of beef by 35% in 2003, with a big increase in sales of fresh and frozen beef to outlets in Britain and a more than doubling of frozen beef sales in Russia.

The production of low-cost beef in Brazil continues to be one of the underlying threats to higher beef prices in Europe, with supplies from Brazil offering very competitively priced beef to the catering trade.

Brazil increased exports of fresh/chilled beef by 42% last year, selling 155,000 tonnes. The volume of processed beef sold was 15% higher at 211,000 tonnes. Frozen beef exports were up by 45% with total sales of 465,000 tonnes.