October 4, 2007

Uruguay to start chicken imports from Brazil's Santa Catarina

Uruguay will start imports of chicken meat from Brazilian southern Santa Catarina state, according to Uruguay's Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Jose Mujica.

Higher prices of chicken in Uruguay have prompted the country to allow imports,

Uruguayan media, Uruguay al Dia reported.

Brazilian chicken were previously banned due to sanitary conditions.

Santa Catarina is better known for its strict veterinary control and quality of its chicken meat production chain.

The removal of the ban would have a positive effect on society, Mujica said.

Meanwhile, Argentinean chicken producer Tres Arroyos is expected to start the operations of its Uruguayan unit by the end of the year, further boosting the country's meat production and alleviating high chicken prices.