MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine beef exports contracting

Argentina exported last January 41.056 tons of beef valued in 114.9 million US dollars which represents a 5% volume drop and 27% contraction in value.

The Argentine Agro-Food Sanitary and Quality Service, Senasa indicated that beef shipments to the European Union totalled 2.867 tons equivalent to 23.3 million US dollars, with Germany the main recipient with 1.878 tons.

Chile in January was the main importer of Argentine fresh beef with 7.599 tons, valued in 22.7 million US dollars. Processed beef was shipped mainly to United States, 2.377 tons, valued in 7.3 million US dollars.

However these numbers do not reflect the impact of the February ban on Argentine beef imposed by several markets following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the northeastern province of Corrientes, ten miles from the Paraguayan border.

So far 19 countries have restricted totally or partially Argentine beef imports.

The Argentine government estimates that the closure of markets will cost the beef industry 280 million US dollars in cancelled exports. However cattle breeders organizations estimate the loss will be at least double that sum.

Argentina is the world's third exporter of beef and in 2005 overseas sales totalled 1.39 billion US dollars.