November 25, 2003

 

 

Argentina's January-October Beef Exports Total $508 Million

 

Argentina exported $508 million of beef in the first nine months of 2003, the country's animal- and food-

inspection agency, Senasa, reported Monday.

 

Argentina, the world's No. 7 beef exporter, shipped 245,472 metric tons of beef - including fresh beef, chilled boneless cuts, frozen boneless cuts, processed cooked beef and related bovine innards - to more than 60 countries.

 

In terms of volume, this is 17% more than what Argentina sold abroad during the same period in 2002, according to Senasa. As measured in dollars, this is a 30% increase over similar sales from a year ago.

 

In the January-October period, Argentina shipped 25,299 tons of beef worth $158 million to the European Union under the Hilton Import quota program. Non-Hilton-related chilled and frozen fresh beef shipments totaled 121,753 tons, or $215 million.

 

Germany was the biggest buyer of Hilton cuts, accounting for 15,045 tons. It was followed by the Great Britain with 4,681 tons, Holland with 2,536 tons and Italy with 1,965 tons.

 

Chile was the biggest buyer of fresh beef, accounting for 19,739 tons during the first five months of 2003.

 

Chile closed its market to local beef after Argentina disclosed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in late August.

 

Meanwhile, Argentina sold 38,416 tons of processed beef for a total value amount of $91 million.

 

The main buyer of processed beef was the U.S., accounting for 17,284 tons.

 

The U.S. has maintained a ban on fresh Argentine beef since early 2001, when Argentina belatedly admitted to a widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

 

Argentina exported 332,011 tons in 2000, the last normal export year before the country admitted to problems with foot-and-mouth disease.