MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

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Aerolíneas Argentinas has big plans for Chile;
Argentine natural gas exports increase;
Confidence in sheep farming is returning.

Aerolíneas Argentinas has big plans for Chile

At the end of March during the Santiago International Air and Space Fair, Aerolíneas Argentinas, AA, will be announcing its development plans for Chile, including possible flights to Punta Arenas from the Chilean capital. "AA is in the process of strengthening its position in Chile and should be covering international and domestic routes by next July. Actually we've began with adds in local newspaper with the purpose of contracting pilots and air staff", said a spokesperson for the Spanish-Argentine airline in Santiago. The company's CEO Antonio Mata will be making the announcements at the end of the month, but "we've already have Boeing 737-200, 737-300 and one 747-300 committed for operations from Chile", added AA spokesperson in Santiago. "This is only one stage of a multiple plan to operate in all South American countries with the purpose of becoming the area's main airline, "even if that means competing directly with Lan Chile that currently holds a privileged position". Punta Arenas Congressman Pedro Muñoz commented favourably AA coming presence in the Chilean market saying that "competition is the best and most efficient way to end with abuses". Congressman Muñoz has been a consistent critic of Lan Chile and its "monopolistic practices" in flights to remote areas such as Magallanes. "Obviously the ideal would be to have Chilean companies competing in domestic routes, but if there's no interest or they are delayed in their response, I see on inconveniences in having foreign airlines operating in Chile", underlined Mr. Muñoz.

Argentine natural gas exports increase

Argentine natural gas exports in 2003 increased 15% over 2002, but oil exports dropped 15% according to the latest report from the Argentine Institute of Natural Gas and Oil. The Argentine hydrocarbons extracting companies association said that a total of 6.750 million cubic meters of natural gas were exported in 2003 compared to 5.846 million cubic metres in 2002. Overseas oil sales on the other hand reached 13.348.242 cubic meters compared to the 15.719.015 cubic metres of the year before. The release indicates that production had a similar performance to the 2003 export balance with oil extraction reaching 43.087.279 cubic meters, a 2,3% drop compared to 2002, while natural gas production totalled 50.689 million cubic meters, 10,5% higher than the year before.

Confidence in sheep farming is returning

After ten years of dismal wool prices Magallanes farmers are again confident in sheep and this week's Magallanes Cattle Show is expected to be a full success, says Patricio Almonacid Contreras, president of the Magallanes Region Corriedale Breeders Association. Recently back from Rio Gallegos and Rio Grande in Argentine Patagonia where he acted as a judge in the two local breeders' exhibition, Mr. Almonacid Contreras indicated that 300 pedigree sheep are expected for the 52nd. Edition of the Magallanes Show, "which means the people are again enthusiastic about sheep farming". Mr. Almonacid Contreras said that the Corriedale of Magallanes competes with the best in the world and "we certainly have an edge over what I've recently seen in Río Gallegos and Río Grande". As to the reasons for the excellent quality of the local Corriedale Mr. Almonacid Contreras argued that besides the geographic conditions of the region which help to reinforce sanitary conditions and avoid disease contamination, "we've been very careful, acting with an island mentality and only letting in new blood from Australia and New Zealand. This has strengthened the breed and improved its competitiveness". Further on Mr. Almonacid Contreras admitted that even when finer wools are in greater demand, and better prices, Corriedale is a double purpose big animal, which has a good wool and meat production. "More than a modern breed, Corriedale is a practical breed that has superbly adapted to Magallanes, 98,5% of the flock is Corriedale, with lambs of excellent size and meat which meets the most demanding conditions of the US and EU markets". Mr. Almonacid Contreras emphasized that "Patagonian lamb is a trade mark by itself, associated with organic production that always manages an interesting "plus" price". Finally Mr. Almonacid Contreras highlighted that his great ambition as president of the Magallanes breeders association is to prove a true follower of Naldo Ersmo Almonacid, his father, and Kenneth MacLean, the two farmers who pioneered and imposed Corriedale in Magallanes Region.