April 16, 2007

Argentine beef exports down 20.1 percent

Argentina registered the export of 61.279 metric tonnes of beef during the first two months of the year, 20.1 percent down the registered during same period in 2006, said the Argentine Chamber of Beef and Trade Industry (CICCRA).

Increased exports of offal, posting 27.2 percent to 21.937 metric tonnes contributed to reduce the decrease. Exports of fresh and frozen extra-Hilton cuts narrowed 38.8 percent from 47.121 metric tonnes to 28.834 metric tonnes. Exports of processed meat decreased from 7.540 metric tonnes during the January-February 2006 period to 5.322 metric tonnes in same period this year, a downturn of 29.4 percent. In terms of US dollar, exports reached US$180.5 million, a decrease of 10.7 percent. The main destinations for the Argentine beef were Russia, Hong Kong, Chile, Israel and Germany, which concentrated 60.1 percent of total exports.