Brazilian agricultural & livestock exports to Middle East surge 46.3 per cent

UAE, April 19, 2016– According to statistics released by the Brazil Ministry of Agriculture and Supply (MAPA), exports of agricultural and livestock products from Brazil to the Middle East generated sales of USD 724.3 million in March 2016, up 46.3 per cent from USD 495.1 million for the same period last year. Overall, the sale of Brazilian agriculture and livestock to the external market during March recorded a profit of USD 8.3 billion, accounting for 52.2 per cent of all revenues generated by exported products. 

The Middle East ranks third in the world in Brazilian agricultural and livestock imports after Asia and the European Union. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has emerged as the largest importers from Brazil, registering an increase of 5.9 per cent, followed by Egypt at 16.8 per cent, and the UAE at 69.4 per cent.

Dr. Michel Alaby, Secretary General and CEO, Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Brazil’s strengthening bilateral relations with the Arab World region reflects the growing popularity and demand of high-quality Brazilian products among regional consumers. At the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, we have always strived to further consolidate Brazil’s business relations with the Arab World by offering entrepreneurs and business from both sides a platform to connect with each other to discuss profitable ventures. We will continue to support Brazil in its objective of increasing the volume of export in food stuff, especially agricultural and livestock products, to the Arab World.” 

Soy complex was the most exported item among the agricultural and livestock categories for the period, recording a total sale of USD 3.4 billion and an increase of 23.8 per cent. Meats with an earning of USD 1.24 billion and growth of 5.4 per cent came next, followed by the sugar-alcohol complex with total sales of USD 737.2 million and an increase of 10.8 per cent. Brazil has exported USD 20 million worth of agribusiness products year-to-date up to March, registering an increase of 8.7 per cent over the same period in 2015. According to MAPA, the soy complex followed by meats and forest products were the most exported items, with the livestock and agriculture category accounting for 49.4 per cent of all of Brazil’s exports during the period.