July 5, 2006

Both EU beef export and import decline

Trade in both EU imports and exports of beef during the first four months of 2006 fell  compared with the same period in 2005.

Imports of beef from Brazil were down 20 percent while imports from Argentina fell 11 percent.

The decline was largely due to the Foot and Mouth Diseases (FMD) restrictions placed on Brazil and the self imposed beef export ban in Argentina.

EU beef exports also fell 20 percent during the first four months of 2006, including a 10 percent fall in shipments to Russia.