April 7, 2008

Uruguay finished cattle prices stay high
 

Finished cattle prices in Uruguay appear to be stabilizing at high levels after increased demand in export markets pushed prices up, according to the World Beef Report.

Last week, steers were sold between US$2.53 and US$2.56/kg cwt, with some transactions for heavy animals with short freights at US$2.58/kg cwt, up 30 percent than last year.

Most heavy cows are priced about US$2.25/kg cwt, more than 26 percent from last year.

At present, producers can control sales because of favourable forage conditions.

Strong demand for Uruguayan beef has been driven by the strike in Argentina and the EU ban on Brazilian beef.

Uruguay's beef exports reached US$182.8 million in the first two months of 2008, up 33 percent compared with the same period last year.