January 21, 2005

Argentina's 2005 beef exports to exceed US$1.3 billion

Argentina's 2005 beef exports will hit at least US$1.3 billion, Agriculture Secretary Miguel Campos said late Wednesday.

This would put beef exports up about $300 million from 2004, Campos said, noting that Argentina is currently shipping beef to 85 countries.

Beef sales have been on the rise since 2003, when they totaled 379,366 tons, or $694 million, according to the animal and food health agency, Senasa.

"Beef exports are rising and they will continue to rise," Campos said. "Production is up and it will continue to rise to meet demand."

The World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE, declared on Tuesday that northern Argentina is free of foot-and-mouth disease via vaccination. Campos said this declaration should make it easier to negotiate the opening of such lucrative beef markets as Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

These and other markets have been closed to local beef since authorities here confirmed a massive outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. The foot-and-mouth-free status will also enable Argentina to export fresh beef to China, Campos said.