MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile promotes dairy and beef exports.

During the first half of this year Chile exported 36,8 million US dollars of dairy products, 61% above the same period in 2003 according to the head of the Agriculture Research and Policies Office, Carlos Furche.

Cheese was the most dynamic produce with exports totalling 15 million US dollars, a 189% jump over 2003.

"This represents 5,786 tons, that is 3,300 tons more than last year; our main markets were Mexico with 94,5%, the US with 4,5% and Cuba", explained Mr. Furche.

Condensed milk represented 14,5 million US dollars, 173% over the same period in 2003. Mexico was the main market followed at a distance by Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador.

Mr. Furche said prospects are equally encouraging because the level of investment in the dairy industry keeps growing and recent difficulties with a subsidiary of an Italian company "will soon be solved; we have local cooperatives interested in the industry as well as the Mexicans".

The head of the Agriculture Research and Policies Office also announced the creation of the Beef Corporation which will coordinate all activities linked to livestock breeding, processing and distribution of beef and promotion of Chilean beef both nationally and overseas.

"The purpose of this initiative which was mainly from a group of farmers is to convert the beef industry into an international competitor and make Chile a net beef exporter by the next decade, emphasizing on quality and sanitary conditions", highlighted Mr. Furche.