BEEF is likely to become cheaper in Singapore next year, in tandem with more imports from Brazil.
Currently, most of the beef - both chilled and frozen - in wet markets and supermarkets here comes from Brazil.
Last year, Singapore imported 12,920 tonnes of beef - or 46.5 per cent of total beef imports in 2007 - from the South American country.
Moves are being made to increase imports, which have been on the rise.
In 2007, Singapore imported US$285 million (S$432 million) worth of Brazillian agricultural products, up from US$121 million a year ago.
And from January to October, exports here have already reached US$285 million, and are likely to hit US$300 million for the whole year.
These figures were disclosed by Mr Celio Brovino Porton, secretary for Agribusiness International Relations, of Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, who is here on a three-day visit to forge closer ties with Singapore.
He told reporters on Tuesday: 'Brazillian agricultural products here will increase, and a greater variety of foodstuff from Brazil will reach Singapore soon.
'We are also facilitating meetings with importers and exporters to find ways to bring costs down'.
He estimates that the annual agricultural imports from Brazil will reach US$500 million annually by 2010.
Mr Porta added that Brazil will export frozen beef in smaller portions than in larger chunks currently.
'This means less cost to cut-up the meat in Singapore,' explained Mr Porta, who said that this could push the price of 500g of frozen Brazillian beef down to $6, from the current $7.95 at some supermarkets here.
Talks are also underway with the Agricultural Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to import soy products, eggs and frozen chicken from Brazil, he said.
