EU beef imports down 38 percent

EU beef import volumes in the calendar year to October 2008 fell 38 percent on-year to 202,900 tonnes swt, mainly due to a drop in Brazilian supplies.

Shipments from Brazil, a major supplier to the EU, declined 71 percent to 61,400 tonnes swt due to a partial ban on food safety and traceability grounds.

Of all the main suppliers to the EU, Uruguay was the only one that increased its shipments in 2008. Uruguay's shipments to the EU rose 72 percent to 43,500 tonnes swt, with average value growing 17 percent.

Prices increased due to the limited number of suppliers. Argentina still has a partial government export ban, Paraguay had limited farms eligible to export to the EU, and the US remained partially banned due to growth hormone issues.

Other minor producers which increased shipments to the EU were Swaziland, New Zealand, Andorra, Croatia and Australia.

EU beef production in 2008 was affected by lower steer slaughter and declining average carcass weights. Cow slaughter levels in the EU has also declined, as dairy producers retained animals on growing milk quotas and rising milk prices since the second half of 2007, according to the EU Market Survey.