MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean Patagonia lamb for the US market

The Chilean abattoir “Patagonia” in Porvernir, Tierra del Fuego is looking forward to another successful lamb season this year since in the coming months the plant will have been certified to export to United States.

"Last season sales reached ten million US dollars in spite of some temporary setbacks because of the recovery of the US dollar against the Euro. Because our main market is the European Union we actually had to absorb the difference in prices", said Juan Gysling, president of Patagonia abattoir.

"Europe is an excellent market with a sustained demand, but with the opening of the US market we hope to be able to diversify", admitted Mr. Gysling.

The Tierra del Fuego abattoir exports 98% of its production with shipments concentrated in Spain, Israel, France and Japan, and last year totalled 2.600 tons which is equivalent to 220.000 lambs.

"This season we're expecting a 10% increase in production, which is welcome since demand is particularly strong and we're short of lambs", said Mr. Gysling.

However Mr. Gysling highlighted that the Chilean Patagonia lamb has its own reputation and has been recognised internationally as such for over a century. "Magallanes lamb and mutton is naturally bred in a green environment and that is our real strength".

Chilean Patagonia lamb has been certified for export to the European Union, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Israel, Japan, just recently and in the coming months, United States once the report of a recent sanitary visit by American veterinarians and experts is approved by federal authorities.

"We're ready to begin working with United States which will have a double satisfaction: the fact we have been allowed into the toughest market and our main competitors in this prime category are the most sophisticated exporters with much added value, Australia and New Zealand", emphasized Mr. Gysling.

"This will inevitably have a great impact and boost for our local farmers".