Brazil, world's second-largest chicken producer

At the end of 2008, it is expected thatBrazil will overtake China in terms of chicken production, becoming the world's second-largest producer behind the US.

According to Francisco Turra, president of the Brazilian Association of Chicken Producers and Exporters (Abef), this is due to chicken production in China being rather stagnant, whilst the Brazilian industry, which is more competitive than that of other countries at a time of high corn prices, is able to expand its activities to meet both domestic and external demand.

â€œ China has practically stopped growing, " said Turra, adding that the country produces 12 million tonnes of chicken meat per year. "I think that Brazil could end the year with production of 12.5 million tonnes."

Feed prices

Turra went on to say that the Brazilian industry is less affected than other countries by the rise in price of raw materials as the country has a corn surplus and will have up to 10 million tonnes for export this year.

In addition to consistent domestic consumption, the Brazilian industry also expects to export approx. 800,000 extra tonnes of meat in 2008, as compared with 2007, with total exports of almost 4 mln t generating revenue of US$6.5 bln ($1,5 bln more than 2007).

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