Brazil to export record pork, poultry in 2020

Market: Agriculture, Fertilizers
12/12/19

Brazil's pork and poultry exports are expected to rise in 2020 as an extended outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in China pushes demand from that country higher.

Brazilian pork shipments are poised to increase by 15-20pc in 2020 to an 850,000-900,000 metric tonnes (t) record, Brazil's pork and poultry exporters association (ABPA) said today. It does not exclude a volume even larger depending on China's appetite.

The Asian country imported 51pc more Brazilian pork between January-November this year versus the same period in 2018, taking the leadership among the main importers. The higher imports come after a series of authorizations for Brazilian plants to export.

China has been dealing with an ASF outbreak since last year that is expected to affect around half of its pig herd. The nation may take five years to restore its pork supply and has been boosting imports to make up for this domestic disruption.

Other types of meat have been in high demand as well, such as poultry.

ABPA forecasts that Brazil will ship between 3-6pc more poultry next year in comparison to 2019, reaching a record of 4.3-4.5mn t.

ABPA sees Brazil's pork output totaling around 4.2mn t in 2020, up to a 4pc increase year on year. Brazilian poultry production was pegged at 13.6-13.7mn t next year, up by 4-5pc.

Brazilian pork and poultry producers may face higher production costs next year as corn prices remain high in many regions of the country as 2019 was marked by strong demand and record exports.

ABPA does not see a domestic corn shortfall but mentioned that some companies have contracted imports of the grain for delivery between January-June next year because of more attractive foreign prices compared to the local market.

By José Roberto Gomes

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News

03/04/25

Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises April sulphur price by $74/t

London, 3 April (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc has set its April sulphur official selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $280/t fob Ruwais, up by a substantial $74/t from its March OSP. This marks the highest level for the UAE's OSP monthly price since July 2022, when June and July OSP levels reached $485/t fob and $425/t fob, before plunging to $85/t fob in August. This follows a steady rise in spot prices from mid-2024, with the pace of rises accelerating over the past two months. Adnoc's April OSP implies a delivered price of $297-298/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India last assessed at $17-18/t on 27 March. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more

News

Australian beef targeted by US' 10pc tariff

03/04/25

News

03/04/25

Australian beef targeted by US' 10pc tariff

Sydney, 3 April (Argus) — Imports of Australian goods will be tariffed at a general rate of 10pc, US president Donald Trump announced on 2 April, as he signalled his displeasure regarding Australia's biosecurity regulations on agricultural product imports. Australian imports will be levied with a broad 10pc tariff , the minimum under the Trump administration's regime designed to boost domestic production and raise revenue. Trump cited Australia's biosecurity-based restrictions on US beef imports as a reason for his tariff imposition. "Australia bans American beef and yet we imported $3bn of Australian beef from them last year alone, they won't take any of our beef," Trump said at the White House on 2 April, "They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers." Australia's main export of beef to the US is lean trim, rather than cuts, with total beef exports of 395,000t in 2024, or 29pc of the total 1.34mn t shipped. Australia's other significant trade partners include China, South Korea, Japan and the Middle East. The decision comes as US cattle ranchers remain drought-affected, with nearly 40pc of the nation classed as suffering from moderate-to-exceptional drought at the end of January 2025, the US' National Drought Mitigation Centre said. The female-to-male slaughter ratio has reached its highest average in 25 years in the past six years, with the country recording its smallest January herd numbers since 1951 in 2025. The world's largest cattle producers Brazil and Australia exported record quantities of beef in 2024, while the US will export 13pc less and import 3pc more beef in 2025 on the back of its declining herd, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is despite a recent update from the USDA indicating that heavier-than-expected carcase weights will increase domestic output by 120mn lbs from the previous forecast. Tariff impacts on Australian beef values is expected to be limited based on the 10pc figure because of high US domestic beef prices, low storage levels and declining numbers of US cattle on feed. Feedlot placements were down by 18pc on the year on 1 March, USDA statistics show. Import mix Major competitor Brazil was also hit with a 10pc general tariff on goods. The country already incurs 26.4pc above-quota tariff rates for exports to the US, which were applied from 17 January 2025. But Australia receives 448,000 t/yr tariff-free access under a free trade agreement signed with the US in 2005. Beef imports from Mexico and Canada will be exempt from the 10pc reciprocal tariffs, along with other products under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Canada and Mexico accounted for 22pc and 13pc of US beef imports respectively in 2024 according to USDA data, and the countries could gain a larger share of the US beef market going forward. New Zealand's beef exports to the US totalled 183,000t in 2024, with the nation's red meat exporters still expecting high demand from the US despite potential disruption to trade flows because of the 10pc tariff. By Tom Major and Grace Dudley Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Mexico manufacturing extends contraction in March

02/04/25

News

02/04/25

Mexico manufacturing extends contraction in March

Mexico City, 2 April (Argus) — Mexico's manufacturing sector contracted for a 12th consecutive month in March, with production and employment both deepening their slides, according to a survey released today. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) ticked up to 47.2 in March from 47.1 in February, but remained below the 50-point threshold between contraction and expansion, according to the latest PMI survey from the finance executive association IMEF. Manufacturing, which accounts for about a fifth of Mexico's economy, is led by the auto sector, contributing about 18pc of manufacturing GDP. Within the manufacturing PMI, the new orders index rose by 1.3 points to 45.3, still deep in contraction. Meanwhile, production fell by 0.6 points to 44.6. The employment index also declined 0.6 points to 46.4 in March, now in contraction for 14 consecutive months. Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing PMI — covering services and commerce — declined 0.8 points to 48.8 in March from 49.6 in February, holding in contraction for a fourth consecutive month. Within the non-manufacturing PMI, new orders fell 1.5 points to 48.2 and production declined 1 point to 47.5 with employment down a point as well in March to 47.5, as all three pushed deeper into contraction. In contrast, the inventories component rose 3.5 points to 50.6 into expansion territory in March. But this may be the result of company strategies to stockpile inventories ahead of US tariffs and the reciprocal measures Mexico is set to announce on 3 April, IMEF technical advisory board member Sergio Luna said. PMI data show that the economic stagnation that began in late 2024 persisted through March, with results from January and February pointing to a sharp slowdown in the first quarter, IMEF said. This follows annualized GDP growth of 0.5pc in the fourth quarter of 2024, slowing from 1.7pc in the third quarter, according to national statistics agency data. Luna said concerns over US tariffs continue to drive much of the uncertainty reflected in the PMI data. Internal factors — such as reduced government spending to contain the fiscal deficit and investor unease over judicial reforms passed last year — are also weighing on activity, Luna added. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Sulacid demand from Indonesian buyer muted: Correction

02/04/25

News

02/04/25

Sulacid demand from Indonesian buyer muted: Correction

Corrects volume in paragraph 5 to 106,000t from 160,000t London, 2 April (Argus) — Sulphuric acid demand from Indonesian battery metals producer PT QMB New Energy Materials (QMB) slowed in March and into April, with the firm carrying out plant maintenance following a landslide. Morowali Industrial Park in central Sulawesi was hit by a landslide after heavy rain on 22 March, resulting in three fatalities. QMB's high-pressure acid leaching plants are likely to be off line for a minimum of three weeks. The company was approached for comment. A large vessel line-up at Bahodopi has also curbed demand from one of Indonesia's largest acid importers. There are currently six vessels waiting to discharge at Bahodopi, carrying a combined 106,000t of acid. Some have been waiting since early March. It is unclear when the congestion will ease, given the QMB outage. Some traders are looking at diverting cargoes to destinations including India's east coast or Chile. QMB's Bahodopi sulphuric acid receipts were disrupted earlier this year after the company exhausted its import quota — this was only renewed in mid-February, for up to 600,000 t/yr. Indonesian sulphuric acid imports totalled 1.08mn t in 2024, slightly down from 2023's record 1.09mn t, with QMB receiving much of this. By Lili Minton and Deon Ngee Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Northern Australian floods squeeze cattle supply

02/04/25

News

02/04/25

Northern Australian floods squeeze cattle supply

Sydney, 2 April (Argus) — Major flooding in Australia's western Queensland caused stock losses and logistic disruptions, which could support feeder steer prices. Heavy rains of up to 500mm in the last seven days to 31 March have caused record flooding in some areas of central west and south-west Queensland, Bureau of Meteorology data show. These regions account for about a fifth of the state's cattle population or close to 1.976mn head in 2021, according to the Australia Bureau of Statistics. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) estimates 145,000 head of livestock are missing or dead because of the recent flooding, including 69,000 head of cattle. The QDPI predicts over 4,700km of private roads and 3,500km of fencing has been damaged, affecting paddock access and livestock mustering. The supply squeeze could support prices of feeder steers, as multiple sale yard auctions planned for early April have been cancelled because of wet weather and insufficient numbers. Sales at Charters Towers and Gracemere on 2 April were cancelled and the Blackall sale on 3 April is postponed until 10 April, according to local councils and livestock agents. The Argus Australian northern feeder steer price was at 361A¢/kg on 27 March, up by 2A¢/kg on the week, but could rise further this week as processors bid for available stock at more easterly cattle sales. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts up to 25mm of rain on 2 April and 3 April in flood-affected regions, before declining to a 5mm maximum on 4 April, which could allow some waters to recede. But major flood warnings are still in place for rising rivers in the state's southwest, despite lower rainfall. Mustering and road freight could be delayed for six weeks in the Channel Country of far western Queensland, according to a market participant. Farmers in some flood-affected areas of Queensland can access freight subsidies of up to A$5,000 from the state government to transport livestock for restocking, which could speed up herd recovery. By Grace Dudley Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more