Therefore, pork and chicken exports reached US$ 231 million (about R$ 1 billion) in February, according to data compiled by Epagri's Center for Socioeconomics and Agricultural Planning (Cepa/Epagri). That's if the calculation is with the quotation close to R$ 4.30, which was the reality of the middle of the month.
US$ 150.4 million in chickens and US$ 80.6 million in pork were exported. This represented US$ 5 million more than last year. In volume there were 88 thousand tons of chicken and 35 thousand tons of pork.
Coronavirus causes the dollar to rise and reduces trips by Santa Catarina residents abroad
Compared to January, pork fell by 12.1% in value and 9.2% in volume. But compared to February 2019 there was an increase of 7.8% in volume and 37.4% in billing.
– There was already a prediction of a drop in pork in February, compared to January, which was the record month in revenues, with US$ 91 million, and the second largest volume, with 38 thousand tons. But compared to last year there is growth, mainly in revenue, which shows the appreciation of pork in the Marketplace International. This is because China will continue to demand meat due to the reduction of herds by more than 40%, due to pork outbreaks – said Giehl.
In Brazil, the growth was even greater, from 54.6% in revenue, reaching US$ 154.9 million, and 24.7% in volume, with 54.1 thousand tons.
Logistics
According to the president of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), Francisco Turra, said that the impacts of the coronavirus on the sector are small so far.
– One-off logistical issues resulting from Covid-19 control actions did not generate significant impacts on the final balance of Brazilian exports. Logistical adjustments ensured the clearance of cargo in the Chinese market. The Chinese government prioritizes the transit of food – said the ABPA president.
Chicken from Santa Catarina had a drop of 29.9% in value and 28.3% in volume compared to February last year for export. But it increased by 11.9% and 13.1% from January respectively.
Alexandre Giehl said that in the first half of last year Santa Catarina exported good volumes, fell in the second half and is now showing recovery. In Brazil, chicken shipments grew 5.2% in revenue, compared to February last year, with US$ 526 million, and 10% in volume, with 316.7 thousand tons.
Alexandre Giehl said that the high dollar is good for improving the profit margins of agribusinesses but, if it persists, it could have a negative effect, stimulating corn exports and increasing production costs. It is also more expensive to import inputs and equipment.
