The opening of the Kingdom of Lesotho to chicken meat from Brazil should positively influence the presence of Brazilian exporters on the African continent, according to the assessment of the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).

The approval of the International Health Certificate (CSI) for the Lesotho market was announced today by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

With per capita consumption rates of around 11 kilos (FAOSTAT data), Lesotho has recorded increasing rates of protein consumption over the last few years.

“The positive outlook for consumption in the Lesotho market follows the increase recorded throughout 2023 in Brazilian exports to African countries. Therefore, the opening is especially celebrated by exporters at this time of positive indication for sales to the continent," said Ricardo Santin,president of ABPA.

In the 12 months of 2023, the African continent imported 816.6 thousand tons of chicken meat from Brazil, a number 13.1% higher than that recorded in the previous year. Revenue, in the same period, grew 1.6%, with a balance of US$857.4 million.

“The African continent has received increasing attention from Brazilian exporters, a region that has registered increasing rates of urbanization and improved income, strengthening the country's partnership in supporting food security in African nations," said Luis Rua, ABPA's director of markets.