Biography:
Ricardo Santin is the president of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein. Born in Marau, he holds a law degree, a specialist in Civil Procedure and a master’s degree in Political Science. He worked as a lawyer and university professor. He served as chief of staff of the National Supply Company. He was an advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CEAGESP and Member of the Board of Directors of CEASA-MG. From 2008, he joined the Brazilian Association of Chicken Exporters (ABEF) which later became the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). Ricardo Santin assumes the presidency of ABPA on August 19. He has been in the association for 12 years and in that period acquired a great recognition of the sector and was one of the main responsible for the conquest of new markets and growth in the number of businesses. He will accumulate the role of president of ABPA with the Vice-President of the International Poultry Council (IPC) and, in addition, the position of President at the Egg Institute and in the Sectoral Chamber of Poultry and Pig of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking Date:
Monday, Jan. 25, 2021

Presentation Time:
10:15 - 10:45 a.m.

Presentation Title:
Keynote: The Redeveloping of Poultry Export Capacity in Latin America with the Reopening of the Market

Presentation Summary:
In 2020 Brazil experienced changes due to several simultaneous factors that became even more complicated by the confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazil's production, exports and per capita consumption of chicken meat and eggs closed 2020 with positive numbers, despite record costs and the economic and social impact of the pandemic. The health crisis of African swine fever boosted Brazilian exports of birds and pigs. Another major factor in COVID-19 was the impact of tourism that contracted the importation of large Arab destinations, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Asian pressure will remain at high levels by 2021. At the same time, there is the expectation of the resumption of major importers, such as the Philippines and Mexico, as well as the Olympics, which will favor sales to Japan. A significant positive impact of economic resumption is expected both abroad and on the domestic market. Often invisible to part of the population, the food production sector faced the difficulties imposed by COVID-19, so that no food was lacking. Prior to lock-down, the first sectoral contingency plans were instituted and at least seven protocols were implemented, reinforced by federal government regulations. With planning, organization and a lot of responsibility, production was preserved, exports stimulated, and the domestic market kept stocked.

Strong action by sectoral entities, especially ABPA, businesses and the federal government, with social emergency measures was crucial. Thanks to this, levels were maintained very close to the projections drawn in early 2020. This sector proved resilient. By 2021, the outlook should not change, with rising production costs, exchange rate instability, imminent economic resumption, Asian demand.