June 12, 2007

Chile lifts beef import ban from Paraguay's Canindeyu region

Chile has allowed the entry of beef imports from Canindeyu region, eastern Paraguay after it was banned in October 2005 due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). 

Canindeyu is located 25 kilometres away from the Brazilian side of the border with Paraguay. Brazil is also suffering numerous bans due to FMD outbreaks.  

Chile is the second major destination of Paraguayan beef exports, after Russia. Currently, there are 23 Canindeyu beef exporters with licences to sell their products in Chile.

In 2006 Paraguay exported 31,838 tonnes of frozen meat worth US$109.9 million (82.3 million euros) to Chile.  Paraguay's beef imports to Chile fell by 38.4 percent year-on-year to 87,666 tonnes in 2006.