MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean meat exports reach 171 million US dollars.

Chilean meat exports during the first half of 2004 represented 171 million US dollars, 61,2% increase over the same period in 2003.

The 67.398 tons of meats (beef, pork, lamb, poultry) were shipped mainly to Japan (45,3%); Mexico (14,1%); South Korea (12,4%); Britain (6,1%); Germany (5,7%); France (2,5%).

Overseas pork sales totaled 104,5 million US dollars, 43% increase over the same six month period of 2003. Poultry sales jumped 294% reaching 39,3 million US dollars.

Chile's success with poultry sales is based on the fact that world supply has contracted since the appearance of the chicken flue epidemics, according to Chilean officials.

Chile expects pork exports to reach 220 million US dollars and poultry sales 100 million US dollars in 2004.

Chilean sanitary authorities also reported this week that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency approved the local system applied to pork which should help to open the Canadian market. The Canadian-Chilean poultry export certification protocol is still in process but should be completed in the coming months estimate Chilean sources.

A Chilean technical and sanitary delegation recently visited Canada and United States with the purpose of coordinating control procedures for beef, lamb and pork.

Exports to Canada could reach 30 million US dollars in 2005, 10 million poultry and 20 million US dollars in pork, according to Chilean Foreign Trade officials in Santiago.