September 15, 2008

Argentina yet to obtain beef export permits

Argentine beef plants are still having problems obtaining beef export permits from the Department of Agriculture (ONCCA) as they have to submit daily slaughter figures along with the price paid and weight of slaughtered carcasses.

Plants must also sell 80 percent of this meat on the home market. Beef for export cannot exceed more than 50 percent of the beef sold for the same period last year and ONCCA must be notified in writing of proposed exports 10 days prior to anticipated day of production.

The plant then has to wait for the documents to be processed, about seven working days, which is where the backlog builds up.

As a result of export delays, retail prices have fallen to well within inflation projections.