June 1, 2009

Argentina exported 122,774 tonnes of beef in the first quarter of 2009, up 4.1 percent on-year and up 14.8 percent from the previous quarter, according to data by the National Service of Health, Food and Agriculture Quality (SENASA).

Argentina's beef exports to Russia during the first quarter surged 105.5 percent from the previous quarter, and up 1.5 percent on-year, to 30,474 tonnes.

Russia was Argentina's main beef market with 24.8 percent of total shipments. Beef exports to Hong Kong during the first quarter reached 13,294 tonnes, down 3.5 percent from the previous quarter but up 20.5 percent on-year.

Beef exports to the US during the first quarter reached 2,551 tonnes, down 52.5 percent from the previous quarter and down 11.1 percent on-year.

During the first quarter, Argentina's largest Hilton cut export market was Germany, which accounted 53.1 percent of the total. Argentina's primary fresh beef market was Russia with 32.6 percent of the total, while the US was the main processed meat export market with 31.1 percent of the total. The largest offal export market was Hong Kong with 29.3 percent of the total.

Fresh beef made up 52.7 percent of total Argentine beef exports, offals at 31.9 percent, processed meats at 6.7 percent, and Hilton cuts at 8.7 percent.