An important recovery in exports of pigmeat by Brazil to Russia was reported to the 3rd Pork Expo and associated Congresso Latino-Americano de Suinocultura held at the convention centre of Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls), in Brazil's Parana state where it meets the border with Argentina. The event heard figures from Abipecs, the national association representing industries in pork production and exporting, revealing that 222 981 tons of Brazilian pigmeat had been exported to Russia in the period from January to October 2006. The significance of this US$518 million trade was underlined by the fact that the country's second-largest customer in this period, Hong Kong, took 61 000 tons worth US$78.8 million. In third place was Ukraine with 37 734 tons (US$55.4 million), followed by Singapore with 21 572 tons (US$46.7 million). The 2006 Pork Expo attracted speakers and visitors from more than 27 countries, and included talks on nutrition, reproduction and health. Its exhibition hall had some 70 stands, representing the major companies involved in supplying the pig industry in Brazil with health products, equipment, feeds and genetics. Parallel events included a gastronomic evening in which pork was served in many different ways, which the ABCS association of Brazilian pig producers demonstrated its drive to promote pigmeat consumption by offering tastes of different pork dishes prepared by a professional chef on its stand.
