Argentina to hold beef exports until Easter

Argentine beef exports will be held by customs until the first week of April, as stated by the Secretary for Internal Trade (SCI) during its weekly meeting with the local beef industry (Infocampo).

Although the ban originally focussed on non-Hilton unprocessed beef, the issuing of offal export certificates has also been taking longer than usual, while the remaining 60% of Argentina's 28,000 tonne Hilton quota distribution has again been delayed.

In addition, once shipments are released, exporters will face additional difficulties in obtaining export certificates (ROE), as a pre-ROE needs to be obtained from the SCI before applying to the Agricultural Trade Control Office for certificates.

The SCI has now compiled a list of 13 beef cuts that are in high demand which will be sold at discounted prices by local retailers, with the aim of supplying cheap beef to Argentine consumers. More than 60 government inspectors will monitor these prices throughout butcher shops and supermarkets in Buenos Aires.