Brazilian pork and poultry update: Markets focused on overseas sales
Poultrymeat prices recovered slightly in the final week of June while pork prices held on to recent gains.
Wholesale prices for chicken meat recovered some of the losses recorded the previous week – driven by the good pace of exports.
In the first three weeks of June, the average flow of shipments of fresh chicken meat increased by 19.5% compared to the previous month to 19,090 tonnes per day, according to data from the foreign trade secretariat (SECEX).
Many Brazilian meatpackers are prioritizing sales to overseas markets because of a rise in average export prices (+ 8.6%), compared to the same period last year.
The situation is more difficult for slaughterhouses that only supply the domestic market, who are limiting acquisitions of live birds. Even so, average farmgate prices remain well up on year-ago levels.
Pork
Firm international demand was also key to sustaining Brazilian pork prices in the second half of June. China continues to buy more Brazilian pigmeat to fill gaps created by African Swine Fever. This is generating good prospects for the sector and is helping support prices.
Brazil exported 3,110 tonnes of fresh pork per day in the first three weeks of June – up 16.5% on the previous month.
Average export prices in June were about 18% higher than the same month last year.
The appeal of sales to the international market is helping drive up the number of pigs being slaughtered – particularly at facilities certified to export pork.
Because of the longer productive cycle, producers are struggling to keep pace with this demand – putting upward pressure on prices for live pigs.
Note: Pork and poultry charts previously found in the Brazilian Meat Monitor can now be found here.