Uruguayan beef exports hit record

Marts: There has been an escalation in beef production in Uruguay, with exports reaching records as more of the competitively-priced beef is sold into EU markets.

Beef processing plants are taking advantage of the restrictions on beef exports from Brazil and Argentina. Beef in Uruguay is currently worth the equivalent of 132 cent/kg inc VAT (47p/lb).

Throughput at beef processing plants increased 21% for the month of May to set a new monthly record of 284,000 head.

For the first five months of 2006, throughput has reached 1.47 million head, an increase of 13% on the corresponding period in 2005. Bord Bia points out that exports of Uruguayan beef also set a new record for May, with 39,000 tonnes shipped during the month. Exports of beef for the period to May are more than one-third up on 2005 as Uruguay takes advantage of the restrictions on exports by Brazil and Argentine to increase market share in the higher return markets.

For sales of frozen beef they have been concentrating on the US, Russia and Israel, but have also sold 1,000 tonnes into the British market.

There has been an increased concentration on the export of fresh and chilled beef with sales for the five-month period showing an increase of 80%. The main destination for chilled beef has been Chile, followed by Britain, which imported 3,000 tonnes in the January-May period this year, a slight rise on the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, while Australian lamb exports are 4% higher for the period January-May, the EU has imported less of it, with sales to EU markets down 11%. Sales to Japan are up 56%, with demand for lamb having increased with the warm weather for the barbecue season.