Brazil's 2005 exports exceed expectations

Brazil surprised everyone, including itself, by exporting virtually 100,000 tonnes more chicken in the first quarter of this year as in the same period of 2004, an increase of 18.3%. At the end of 2004, a year in which 26% more chicken, a massive 500,000 tonnes more was shipped as in 2003, largely as a result of the impact of avian flu, most analysts suggested that the best that could be hoped for in 2005, would be an increase in exports of about 10%.