June 8, 2020

Argentina to boost kosher meat exports

After the government waived pandemic-related travel restrictions, 98 rabbis from Israel flew to Argentina as the country prepares to increase its exports of kosher beef, Reuters reported.

Most of the rabbis arrived this week on a chartered flight from Tel Aviv, Argentina's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The rabbis were needed to maintain beef exports to key buyer Israel, which has become increasingly important as exports to the EU and China are hit by the global health crisis.

"The first thing you have to understand is the importance of exports," stated Foreign Minister Felipe Sola. "We celebrate having been able to accelerate the arrival of the rabbis to certify beef."

Argentina is the world's fifth largest beef exporter and Israel is the top 3 buyer of the product.

Argentina will ship 24,000 tonnes of beef to Israel in 2020, for a value of about US$170 million.