A Brazilian meat industry association says exports of Brazilian pork to China grew to 25,500 tonnes in the first two months of this year, 140 percent more than in the corresponding period last year,

Reuters says.

The news agency quotes the association, called ABPA, as saying China became the main market for Brazilian pork last month.

The association thinks sales of Brazilian pork to China may grow considerably if China increases import duties on US pork.

Last year Brazil exported to China 48,900 tonnes of pork worth about US$100 million, while the United States exported to China 275,000 tonnes of pork worth US$488 million, Reuters quotes the association as saying.