Shipments were 19 per cent higher this March than last, largely down to major increases in Chinese buying.

This is according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (BAPA) which also underlined Hong Kong's impact on the export front.

Togther, China and Hong Kong bought 51,000 tonnes more chicken meat combined, with shipments lifting to China by 42 per cent (24,800 tonnes) and by five per cent (26,200) to Hong Kong.

The Middle East remains the main export destination, in particular Saudi Arabia, but significant growth in Asia almost cancelled out a shortfall in trade in the New Year.

"We resume the flow of exports that had been affected by the strike of truckers in February, and virtually zero out the accumulated losses in tons in the first quarter," said Francisco Turra BAPA chief executive.

First Quarter

Earnings increased in comparison to the same quarter in 2014 in Brazilian real terms but fell by the US$.

Fewer whole chickens were bought as the quarterly value reached US$1.591 billion or R$4.579 billion.

Top buyer, the Middle East, bought slightly more chicken, signing off on 336,900 tonnes. Second came Asia, also a grower, at 287,300 tonnes.

Africa and Europe were third and fourth, both buying less, slipping back nearly six per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively.