March 20, 2008

Uruguay's beef exports rise 33 percent

Higher prices and sales to the EU and Russia have pushed Uruguay's beef exports up 33 percent to US$182.8 million in the first two months of this year, compared with the same period in 2007.

Sales volume, however, grew by only 0.5 percent to 69,111 tonnes.

Exports to the EU reached US$72.3 million, up 162 percent, while shipments to Russia were US$35.1 million, marking a 1,426 percent increase on the first two months of 2007.

Exports to Mercosur, the South American trade group, grew 65 percent while exports to other destinations went up by 103 percent, compensating for the decline in shipments to the US and Canada.

The EU's restrictions on beef from Brazil and tougher controls on beef exports by Argentina have contributed to the change in Uruguay's export focus.