April 12, 2013

Chile's beef imports rise 60% on-year

In January-February 2013, Chilean beef imports increased 60% on-year to 21,681 tonnes swt.

The Agriculture Department of Chile (ODEPA) has stated.

While the re-entrance of Paraguayan beef into the Chilean market has been very slow, imports from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and US continue to be well above year-ago levels.

Paraguayan beef imports totalled 777 tonnes swt for the first two months of the year, accounting for only 3.6% of total imports. In contrast, imports from Brazil increased 110%, to 11,461 tonnes swt. Along with Brazil, Argentinean volumes increased 18%, to 4,719 tonnes swt, with larger volumes also registered by Uruguay (up 31%) and US (up 60%).

A weak US dollar, combined with the US/Chile Free Trade Agreement has assisted the competitive position of US beef in the Chilean market. Beef exports to Chile increased substantially in 2012, totalling 7,991 tonnes swt - an increase of 152% on-year. For the first two months of 2013, US exports to Chile are up 60% on-year, to 1,499 tonnes swt.

In contrast, Australian beef exports during the first two months of the year to Chile decreased 67% on-year, to 620 tonnes swt. Along with proximity, lower beef export prices assisted Brazil and Argentina's competitive position during this period.