February 22, 2013

Paraguay sees 73% rise in cattle slaughter during Jan 2013

Paraguay has witnessed a 73% increase in cattle slaughter during January 2013, an indication of strong demand both from overseas and local markets.

During last January, the total number of cattle slaughtered was 123.640, up from 70.110 a year ago, according to statistics from the Paraguayan Rural Association. Of that total, 121.125 head were destined for beef export. The very low number for local consumption can be explained because the market is supplied mainly by county slaughterhouses and abattoirs non-certified for export.

Paraguay reported two outbreaks of FMD, one in late 2011 and the second in early 2012 which meant the number of cattle sent to abattoirs dropped to 66.000, February a year ago, but gradually climbed along the following months, averaging 100.000 head of cattle to end the year with a total beef export equivalent to US$1.05 billion.

This year has taken off with even better prospects (up 73% in January) and if the over 110.000 monthly average can be sustained, according to ARP, exports could again signal a record year in volume and income.

The ARP report indicates that last year the meat export industry slaughtered 1.239.339 cattle, of which only 40.229 for local consumption and the rest for export.