Uruguay increases beef exports to Russia and Canada

During the period of January-March 2010, total beef exports from Uruguay to Russia, totalled 25,800 tonnes; almost twice as much on-year.

In the first quarter of 2010, Russia assumed the role of the EU's largest recipient of Uruguayan beef.

In value terms, exports have increased from about US$19 million in the first quarter of 2009 to nearly US$51 million in the first quarter of 2010. In comparison, the Uruguayan beef exports to the EU in the first quarter of this year fell to about 22,000 tonnes, which is 10% less than a year ago. Despite this decrease, the EU countries remained extremely lucrative market for the Uruguayan exporters. The value of beef exports to these countries amounted to US$86.5 million.

In North America, Canada took over the role of the US as the main buyer of beef from Uruguay. Exports to that country increased by 34% to 10,500 tonnes, while to the US declined to 6,400 tonnes, which is about 44% less than a year ago. The purchasing power of the Canadians has increased mainly due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar.

In addition to growth in exports to Russia and Canada, larger quantities of Uruguayan beef were sold to Israel and Chile. As a result, in the first quarter of 2010 Uruguay exported a total of 98,300 tonnes of beef, which is 10% more than a year ago. The value of exports amounted to US$265 million compared to US$219 million in January-March 2009.