The south American country exported 106,400t of raw beef worth $450.7m in July. This represents a volume increase of 6.2% on the previous month and 29.5% on July 2016. Brazilian beef also enjoyed price increases, which means the value of July exports was up 6.7% on June figures and 38.5% year-on-year.
The latest figures follow a 10% jump in June, confirming the recovery of Brazilian beef exports after the brief slump linked to the widespread fraud exposed by law enforcement agencies in the country’s meat industry earlier this year, as part of Operation Weak Flesh.
While the June increase amounted to catching up on ground lost during the scandal, industry sources say exports are now at levels not seen in 16 months. This is despite a continuing ban on Brazilian beef exports to the US, imposed at the end of June in the wake of Operation Weak Flesh.
Brazil believes it can reopen US market to beef in 60 days