November 19, 2007

Uruguay's October cattle slaughter and beef exports tumble

Figures from the National Meat Institute of Uruguay (INAC) show that Uruguayan beef shipments in October to the US and EU fell to 46.3 percent and 60.5 percent on-year, respectively. The US and EU were the country's biggest buyers of Uruguayan beef. 

Uruguay's beef exports to the US during October fell 43.7 percent from September and 46.3 percent from October 2006 to 3,350 tonnes. Year-to-date beef exports to the US were 22.5 percent higher than a year ago, amounting to 110,609 tonnes. The US accounts for 36.9 percent of total Uruguay beef exports.

Total year-to-date beef exports to the EU equalled 39,277 tonnes, 22.5 percent less than last year. Beef exports to the EU comprised 13.1 percent of Uruguay's total beef exports. Meanwhile, Uruguay's total cattle numbers during October equalled 123,874 heads, 11.3 percent more than the previous month.

INAC data shows Uruguay exported 15,245 tonnes of beef in October. More specifically, exports of frozen beef equalled 9,426 tonnes, forming 78.3 percent of the total. On the other hand, exports of fresh, chilled beef equalled 1,998 tonnes.

Total cattle slaughter for the year-to-date equalled 1,818,623 head, which was down 15.5 percent from a year ago. Overall, Uruguay's total year-to-date beef exports were 17.5 percent below the corresponding period a year ago, amounting to 299,463 tonnes.