Uruguay exported meat, offal, meat products and by-products worth 550 million dollars in the year up to 18 April, 8% more than the same period of 2014. Beef exports totaled 454 million in the first months of the year, with the main buyers including China, member countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the European Union, Israel and MERCOSUR countries.

The total volume of beef was 115,731 tons exported, whereas in 2014 the number stood at 102,154 tons. The change in revenue and the change in volume of beef exports therefore both amount to increases of 13%, compared with the same period in 2014.

For Uruguayan sheep meat, exports totaled 21 million dollars and about 4,642 tons. The main buyers were similar to the main buyers of beef.

The income from beef represents 82% of the total export revenue, while the share of sheep meat is only four per cent, according to data published by the Directorate of Information and Economic Analysis of the National Meat Institute (INAC).

In addition to these two main exports, there were exports of meat offal worth 30 million, horsemeat for 8 million and 2.3 million in poultry meat. Another 34 million was raised from exports of industrialized product, edible residual byproduct, primary byproducts of industrial and meat product feed.

As for the volume of animals slaughtered, 674,656 cattle were slaughtered in approved slaughterhouses across Uruguay by 18 April, which is an increase of 9% compared to the previous year.

In related news a US Department of Agriculture report forecast India will strengthen its position as the world's biggest beef exporter with volumes up 13%. Meanwhile, Australia, the US and Brazil will export less this year, strengthening India's role as the number one beef exporter.

The USDA predicted an overall global marginal fall in beef production, to just over 59 million tons.

“Overall, the forecasts suggest that the world beef industry is continuing in its realignment, with India increasing its importance, while the US and Australia assume a declining role.

“It would seem that Russia is likely to become a less important destination for beef exports in the medium term while Asian markets such as China and Hong Kong continue to increase in popularity amongst global exporters.

 

Date: May 2, 2015

Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2015/05/02/uruguay-s-meat-exports-in-four-months-total-550m-with-beef-the-main-item-454m