Brazil will start shipping duck meat to the Middle East

Brazil's duck MEAT exports hit a record high last year, but exporters say there's room to sell even more.

Considered a delicacy, duck meat is increasing its share of Brazilian exports. Last year, for example, 3600 tons were shipped, which is a record in US dollars (13.1 million US dollars). A product with high potential and continued growth caught the attention of Garra International, an animal protein trading company, which entered into an agreement in March to sell it in the Middle East.

At first, the sole supplier will be Villa Germânia Alimentos, one of the largest producers of duck meat in Latin America. The operation will have a limited start - to test and understand the market - but with plans to increase volume in the medium term. Within three months, the first products will be on sale in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The first talk of a partnership between Garra and Villa Germânia took place at Gulfood, the Middle East's premier food and beverage trade show, which took place in February. The company's goal is to increase revenue in the region by $50 million (or 40%) over the next 12 months.

“North Africa and the Middle East currently account for 65% of our exports, including chicken, beef, lamb and now duck,” says Matthias Hees, commercial DIRECTOR of Garra. “We are talking about a market of 400 million people that has increased its purchasing power and, consequently, its consumption of animal protein. Naturally, this also includes more complex products, such as duck meat.”

Global duck meat exports reached 270,000 tons in 2020, with revenues of US$1.1 billion, according to research firm IndexBox. The biggest buyers were Germany, Hong Kong and France, while the top sellers were Hungary, CHINA and Poland.