July 2, 2005

Uraguay achieve record beef exports in May

According to the National Meat Institute of Uruguay (INAC), Uruguay exported a record 31,533 tonnes of beef during May. Of the total, 81.6 percent, or 20,451 tonnes, consisted of frozen products while fresh, chilled beef equalled 3,817 tonnes.

During May, Uruguay exported 20,014 tonnes of beef to the US. Year-to-date beef exports to the US totalled 91,996 tonnes, with most products entering the US out of quota, subjecting it to the higher tariff rates.

The US was the primary market for Uruguay's beef exports with 61.5 percent of the total. Meanwhile beef exports to the EU during May equalled 4,824 MT, with total year-to-date exports to the EU amounting to 18,522 tonnes, or 12.4 percent of the total. Meanwhile, Uruguay's cattle slaughter during May equalled 211,260 head, up slightly from April.

Cattle slaughter for the year-to-date totalled 978,886 head, up 10.1 percent over a year ago. Overall, Uruguay's total year-to-date beef exports reached 149,529 tonnes.