October 7, 2010

Uruguayan beef exports to remain low

Uruguayan beef exports continue to remain low, totalling 5,402 tonnes swt in September, due to tight cattle supplies and high prices.

Uruguayan cattle slaughter over January to September had decreased 5% year-on-year to 1.67 million.

During January to September in 2010, total beef exports fell 1% year-on-year to 186,336 tonnes swt. Although shipments to the EU fell 25% to 36,286 tonnes swt during the period because of lower prices in the region, exports to Russia rose 21% to 62,392 tonnes swt, influenced by better returns as Brazilian and Argentine supplies remained tight.

Uruguayan supplies are expected to remain low during the rest of the year, with slaughter expected to total around 2.15 million, which is 7% below the 2.32 million processed in 2009.