May 18, 2005

Chile's beef exports expected to double in 2005

Chile's beef exports are forecast to reach US$80 million in 2005, a 200 percent increase over 2004's US$25 million, said Chilean Deputy Agriculture Secretary, Arturo Barrera.

US inspections of the sanitary conditions are expected to be completed in a few months time. Shipments to the US can be expected to begin after that.

Currently, there are 550 livestock farms in Chile registered in the Cattle paddocks under official control. 330 are ranked in Category A, meaning they are of EU standards, and the other 172 farms which are just as important are family farms which receive promotion.