Beef exports from Brazil to Arab countries saw a 38 per cent increase in terms of value and a 59 per cent increase in volume during the first quarter of the year (Q1), said the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC).

Over the same period, Brazil sold over $190 million worth of beef to the Arab region--demonstrating an even sharper increase in terms of volume.

According to the country's Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC), Brazilian beef exports for Q1 totalled $189.75, reflecting a 38 per cent surge as compared from the same period in 2017. In terms of volume, Brazil was able to export 48,510 tons to Arab countries, showing a 59 per cent increase from last year.

The ABCC revealed that Egypt took the spotlight in beef import-related activity with purchases worth $138.58 million during the first three months of this year--posting an increase of 193 per cent over Q1 of 2017. The second major destination was Saudi Arabia with $32.61, followed by the UAE, which imported $22.52 million worth of beef. The list is followed by Jordan with $18.45 million, showing a 60.4 increase from last year.

Michel Alaby, secretary general and CEO, ABCC, said: "Trade activity between Brazil and Arab countries continues to remain strong, especially across beef exports, which show a 38 per cent value increase and a 59 per cent volume growth. These excellent figures for the first quarter alone has given us the confidence to predict that the demand for Brazilian beef will continue to increase in the next few months--demonstrating the strong preference and confidence placed by these Arab countries to Brazilian meat products.”

The ABCC further shared that total exports to the Arab world during Q1 2018 hit $2.7 billion, accompanied with a total volume of goods weighing 9.1billion kg. The country's exports to individual Arab countries are as follows; Saudi Arabia ($579 million), UAE ($494 million), Egypt ($473 million).

Meanwhile, Brazilian total imports to Arab countries reached $1.77 million for the first three months of 2018, combined with a total volume of goods weighing 9.1 billion kg. Over the same period, the UAE exports to Brazil totalled $60,877,571. Saudi Arabia exports reached $632,824,025 and Kuwait posted $112,490,398. – TradeArabia News Service