May 24, 2013

Uruguay's beef exports rise 9.4% in Q1 2013

Boosted by an increase in shipments to China, Uruguay's beef exports rose by 9.4% during the first quarter of 2013.

China accounted for 20% of total exports for the three months period, surpassing Russia at 14%.

With higher average beef exports prices to China during the quarter, (averaging US$4.07/kilogramme), Uruguayan exports to China increased four-fold on the previous year, totalling 14,033 tonnes swt.

In comparison, average exports prices to Russia for the same period averaged US$3.67/kilogramme - with total shipments for the quarter contracting 73% on-year, to 9,870 tonnes swt.

Also assisting the increase in exports for the three months was a 47% on-year increase to the US, at 8,892 tonnes swt. In contrast, exports to Israel declined 11%, to 7,781 tonnes swt.