MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina: Mutton exports top entire 2003

Fresh mutton exports between January and October 2004, totaled 5,642 tons for a value of 14.4 billion dollars, exceeding shipments for all of 2003, when 4,737 tons were shipped for a total value of 9.1 billion dollars.

According to the National Food Quality and Safety Service (Senasa), the main destination for this kind of export was Spain, with 2,540 tons for 6.8 billion dollars.

The sanitary agency also registered mutton shipments to Great Britain, with 807 tons for 2.0 billion dollars, and Northern Ireland, with 812 tons for 1.8 billion dollars.

Other fresh meat destinations included Belgium, with 187 tons; Germany, with 164 tons; The Netherlands, with 156 tons; Italy, with 132 tons; and Greece, with 110 tons, among other markets.

Fresh mutton meat exports during all of 2003 were 4,737 tons for a value of 9.1 billion dollars, which had been the highest figures in nine years, according to statistics from Senasa.