Brazilian beef exports plunged 35 percent in January compared to the same month last year because of the global meltdown, according to AP. The Brazilian Beef Exporters Association says the nation's meat producers shipped 81.8 million metric tons (90.2 million U.S. tons) abroad during the month. That's down from 124.7 million metric tons (137.5 U.S. tons) for January 2008. Association executive director Otavio Cancado said Thursday that the drop is due to frozen credit for international beef buyers. But Cancado says he does not believe that global consumer demand has dropped. Brazil's beef export sector took in $255.7 million for its shipments in January, a 45 percent decline from the same month last year.
