More than 30 percent of Brazil's poultry meat exports are transported to the Middle East, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait among the top buyers. Brazil shipped approximately 1.4 million t of chicken in 2009, representing a 22.7 percent growth from 2008 and revenues of $1.9 billion. Exports are expected to grow further in 2010, with January data revealing a 37 percent sales increase to $141.8 million over the corresponding period in 2009. Brazil is the world's third largest exporter of poultry products, selling the meat to more than 150 countries. Brazil's major poultry exporters will outline their plans to expand further into the Middle East region and showcase their top products during Brasil Trade Middle East 2010, a multi-industry exposition taking place from May 9-11, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. They will particularly focus on the Gulf area, the largest importer of Halal-prepared products in the world, which purchases close to 1 million mt of Halal poultry meet each year. Many countries in the Middle East import their food needs; the Gulf in particular sources more than 90 percent of foodstuffs from abroad. “It will thus continue to reach out to key food exporters such as Brazil, which is a very popular food partner among Middle Eastern countries as its products are certified by Cibal Halal, the Brazilian Islamic Centre for Halal Food Stuff Association. Brasil Trade Middle East will be an excellent venue for Brazilian exporters to discuss how their business complements the Arab region's food security agenda,” said Alessandro Teixeira, president of Apex-Brasil, organizer of Brasil Trade Middle East 2010.
